Avoiding the worst sort of hangover from the Christmas party…
As the Christmas party looms, it is time for the seasonal ‘let’s have fun, responsibly’ message. Each year the festive season brings with it a relaxation of the usual work protocols and an expectation of some fun to be had. Whether that is in the form of a Christmas party or in the form of increasing email banter or,... Read More
Holiday Pay includes Overtime and Commission
At the end of 2014 and in March 2015 we reported on key judgments on holiday pay that have had a significant impact on how to calculate holiday pay and what to include. As a result of this, we’ve moved away from the traditional approach of basing holiday pay on basic pay only to having to add in overtime, commission... Read More
Working Time now includes Travel Time
In September 2015 we reported on a European case that had found that travel time could and should be counted as working time for the purposes of the Working Time Directive, which is embedded in our national law via the Working Time Regulations 1998. However, the circumstances of this case were quite unusual and may not... Read More
Employment Tribunal Fees to reduce?
As we have reported and discussed many times in our blogs and seminars, there has been a seismic shift in the number of Employment Tribunal claims from before July 2013 when fees were introduced to the present. We have moved from a culture in which Employment Tribunal claims could be brought at low cost to the... Read More
Do you have a workplace bully?
ACAS has published a report on its latest research on workplace bullying, which reveals that 20,000 calls were received by ACAS relating to bullying and harassment over the last year, some of which had led the caller to consider self-harm or suicide. This information is concerning, but what could it cost your business?... Read More
Large Scale Redundancies: City Link Case Fails
If you’ve ever had to deal with a large scale restructure or redundancy within your business then you may be aware that if you plan to dismiss 20 or more staff as redundant then you must give notice to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). But is this more than mere formality? On 24 December... Read More
When to unravel the web of deceit in divorce
Unhappy ex-spouses hoping to get their divorce settlements reviewed following a landmark judgment last month are being urged to check their facts first. It was predicted that the Supreme Court rulings in the cases of Alison Sharland and Varsha Gohil would open the floodgates to thousands of couples wanting to revisit... Read More
Eaton Smith partner to advise House of Commons Select Committee
EATON SMITH PARTNER TO ADVISE HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE Kate Booth, Partner at Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith, has been invited to give evidence at the House of Commons select committee with regard to employment tribunal fees. The charging of a fee in employment tribunals was introduced by the Government in... Read More
Employment Law Update pt. 2
Modern Slavery Act 2015 The Modern Slavery Act is aimed at combating the crimes of slavery and human trafficking. These offences are described in general terms as: slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking including (but not limited to) trafficking for prostitution and or exploitation. As... Read More
Property prices help fuel family inheritance court battles
Property prices help fuel family inheritance court battles Rising property prices are helping to fuel increased numbers of inheritance disputes reaching the courts, with second marriages another major contributory factor. Such challenges are no longer the preserve of the wealthy, although they continue to feature... Read More
Modern Slavery Act 2015
The new Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement As from 29 October 2015, commercial organisations having a financial year end of 31 March 2016 or later and which carry on a business, or part of a business, in any part of the United Kingdom and which have a turnover of £36million or more are obliged to produce an... Read More
Employment Update
National Minimum Wage and Living Wage The National Minimum Wage is reviewed each October and increased again with effect from 1 October 2015. The current rates are now: £6.70 per hour for workers aged 21 or over;
£5.30 per hour for workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive;
£3.87 per hour for workers aged 16 to 17 inclusive; and
... Read More