Dealing with Misconduct at Work
Misconduct at work relates to behaviour deemed by an employer to be unacceptable in the workplace environment. Misconduct can have the effect of damaging a business’ reputation as a fair employer or a trustworthy company to deal with. It can cause damage to the property and belongings of the business and can lead to complaints […]
Pre Employment Screening Checks (HR Guide)
Pre employment screening checks are a critical part of a business’s recruitment and onboarding process. The following guide looks at the various different types of checks that should be conducted and how to carry these out, as well as the legal, practical and financial consequences of failing to do so. What are the pre […]
Hiring Contractors (Employers’ Guide)
How an individual is employed by an organisation to undertake work, for example, on an employed or self-employed basis, will be key in determining the legal rights and responsibilities between the parties. This includes important matters such as the way that person is paid, and any respective liabilities to deduct or account for Income Tax […]
Can You Dismiss An Employee On Sick Leave?
Employers can lawfully dismiss an employee who is off sick, provided they have a fair reason for dismissal, act reasonably in all the circumstances and follow a fair procedure. The following guide for employers on dismissal due to sickness absence looks at what amounts to potential grounds for dismissal in this context, from conduct to […]
What are my Rights if a Grievance is Raised Against Me
It is not uncommon for staff to raise a grievance about their managers, in some cases without just cause, although the employer will still be duty bound to fully investigate any formal complaint. It is therefore important for managers to know their own employment rights in these circumstances, not only to help minimise the potential […]
Data Subject Access Request (Employer’s Guide)
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), employees have the right to request and obtain a copy of their personal data held by their employer, or former employer. This is known as making a data subject access request (DSAR). The GDPR places strict compliance requirements on employers to deal with subject access requests. While the […]
Objective Justification (Discrimination Defence?)
As an employer, you are under a duty not to discriminate against someone unlawfully, including both workers and job applicants. That said, the law recognises that there may be circumstances where an employer has good reason to justify treating someone less favourably, or causing disadvantage to a particular group of people. Known as objective justification, […]
Payment in Lieu of Notice: PILON Rules
Payment in lieu of notice, or PILON, is where an employee is paid by their employer for their notice period instead of them working this time when their employment is terminated without notice. PILON can apply to many different types of dismissal. If an employer fails to meet their obligations by not paying the correct […]
Zero Hour Contract Holiday Pay Entitlement
Zero hour contracts remain a common feature of the UK economy, offering flexibility to suit both employers and workers. While this working arrangement can offer a number of benefits for employers, it can also present challenges when dealing with zero hour contract workers’ holiday entitlement. The law in this area changed in April 2024, and […]
Do You Pay Employees More in a Leap Year?
Paying an employee the right amount is both a legal requirement and critical to fostering positive employer-employee relations. However, disputes over pay remain one of the most common workplace issues, and while they are generally easily resolved if dealt with quickly, they are best avoided altogether. In some cases, the issue often arises when there […]