News Archive
This section contains legal updates relating to Employment Law
and Health & Safety Legislation and Regulation.
The proposed extension of the right to request flexible working to parents of school-aged children pencilled in for April 2009 looks set to be deferred following comments by Peter Mandelson, the new government minister in charge of employment policy.
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New Minimum Wage rates come into effect from the 1st of October.
Failure to pay the correct Minimum Wage rate could leave your business at risk of legal action. Preparing now will ensure that you stay on the right side of the law.
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Following a recent case in the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) there is confusion over whether the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law applies to staff employed on “sleepover” duties.
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From the 5th of October changes in Maternity rights mean that parents will have the right to full contractual benefits (other than pay) during the whole of their maternity or adoption leave, and not just for the first six months as at present.
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Many employers will not be aware of what to do in the event of a workplace accident - who should be informed and how it should be done. Read on and find a brief outline of your duties.
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In November new proposals are expected to reduce the number of jobs open to non-EU migrants by 30%.
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Display screen equipment (DSE) is one of the most common types of work equipment and is used by millions of employees.
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From April the 1st next year, all workers will have the right to a minimum of 28 days’ annual leave entitlement. Public holidays can count towards the entitlement but employers can no longer make payments in lieu of unused holidays.
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New Minimum Wage rates come into effect from the 1st of October.
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Labour’s National Policy Forum took place at the end of July. Though not responsible for setting Government Policy, the Forum has an impact on employment policy to the next election and beyond.
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The Government has announced that it will set up a one-number telephone helpline for employees to complain to about issues including non-payment of the National Minimum Wage; Working Time; Health and Safety and breaches of employment law by “gangmasters”.
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Changes to the regulations relating to employers’ liability insurance certificates and the mandatory health and safety poster are due to come into force in October 2008- the insurance certificate; and April 2009- the poster.
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The HSE has announced that it has selected Capita as its preferred bidder to run the new registration scheme for gas installers from the 1st of April 2009.
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To amend the mistake by the Government regarding the10p tax band, Alistair Darling announced a third change to payroll systems planned for the 7th of September.
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From Monday the 14th of July HMRC are issuing penalty notices to employers where their records show that they have not received a P11D (b) form for the 2006-07 tax year which should have been with HMRC by the 6th of July 2007.
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Given the current economic situation, we recognise that many employers will be faced with some tough business decisions. However, it’s vitally important to speak to us first.
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At the end of June, Harriet Harman, the Minister for Women and Equality, announced further details of the proposed Equality Bill.
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Employees could be allowed to ask their bosses for time off to train if government proposals become law.
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Workers in the UK could retain their right to opt out of the maximum 48 hour working week, if a package agreed by ministers in Europe in June becomes law.
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Occupiers of premises still don't seem to understand their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), which came into force in October 2006.
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The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill aims to raise the maximum penalties available to the courts in respect of certain health and safety offences by altering the penalty framework set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have extended their new system of penalties for errors in tax returns to include claims for VAT refunds.
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently running a pilot to assess the use of electronically generated Med 3 medical statements as an alternative to written ones.
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Customs have published a revised list of professional bodies and learned societies whose fees and subscriptions are tax allowable. This is commonly known as List 3 and is available to download from HMRC web site.
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A recent case involving the fraudulent reclaiming of VAT on a scam jet engine deal shows the investigatory powers of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
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Improve the Communication of Your Policies and Procedures. Ensure everyone in your business can read and understand your key policies and processes.
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Future government plans aim to give agency workers the same employment conditions as permanent employees.
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The government is planning to extend the right for parents of school-aged children to request flexible working arrangements.
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When taking over a business or service contract you may be liable to incur a financial penalty if you employ illegal workers.
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The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into force in April 2008. One area often overlooked by management relates to vehicle maintenance.
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New guidance for employers in relation to latex allergies has recently been published.
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From 26 September 2008, EU legislation will mean that you will be required to separate batteries when you dispose of your general waste.
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The statutory minimum holiday entitlement allowed to all workers is increasing on 1st October.
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From 1st April, additional "family-friendly" rights will be available to employees.
The changes allow one year's Maternity Leave to all women, regardless of how long the woman has been employed, and Statutory Maternity Pay is extended to 9 months.
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Employers already know of the influx of workers from the former Eastern Bloc countries but should now beware of falling foul of the different rules that apply to workers from Romania and Bulgaria.
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New proposals came into force on 1 October 2006 to tackle age discrimination against young and old. They will have an impact on many aspects of employment from recruitment to dismissal and include pay ...
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From 1st October 2006, the new Age Discrimination law will bring changes to the way employers deal with staff who reach retirement age.
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The "Better Business" campaign is raising awareness, particularly with smaller businesses, about the real business benefits of introducing better health and safety practices into their workplace.
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