EEA National: UK Residency, Work & Post-Brexit Rules
An EEA national is a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Switzerland is not part of the EEA but has similar rights under separate agreements. Before Brexit, EEA nationals could live, work, and study in the UK without […]
Employee Assistance Programme: HR Guide
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a workplace initiative designed to support employees with personal or professional issues that may impact their wellbeing, productivity or performance. Typically funded by the employer, EAPs provide confidential services such as counselling, mental health support, legal advice and financial guidance. The programmes can be delivered via telephone, online resources […]
UKVCAS: UK Visa and Citizenship Application Guide
UKVCAS stands for ‘UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services’. It’s the system for processing immigration applications made from within the UK for further leave to remain, including all extension applications, and any switching between visas, as well as applications for both settlement and citizenship. Under UKVCAS, you will attend a single appointment to have your […]
Staff Turnover: Causes, Impact & How to Reduce It
Staff turnover refers to the rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced. It includes voluntary resignations, retirements, dismissals or redundancies. While some turnover is natural, high staff turnover can be costly and disruptive for UK employers. Given current talent and skills shortages across all areas of the economy, it has become business-critical […]
Favouritism in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
Favouritism in the workplace, or being perceived to be treating some staff more favourably than others without good reason, can create tensions and expose employers to legal claims. Favouritism in the workplace can happen when an individual, usually someone in a more senior position, treats one employee more favourably than another for reasons that are […]
Dogs in the Workplace: Benefits, Risks & Policies
Dogs may make the workplace more friendly and enjoyable, enhancing employee morale, increasing productivity and strengthening relationships, but they can also be disruptive and may potentially cause damage or injury. If you choose to develop a dog-friendly workplace, you must establish clear standards and be open and honest about expectations and restrictions. If your company […]
UK Entry Clearance: Visa & Travel Requirements
Entry clearance refers to the permission granted by the UK authorities for a non-UK national to enter the country. It is typically required for individuals who need a visa to come to the UK for work, study, family visits or settlement. The process involves submitting an application from outside the UK and obtaining approval before […]
How to Spot a Fake Sick Note
An important aspect of an organisation’s absence management programme will be identifying and dealing with suspected fraudulent sickness absence and non-genuine sickness claims (‘pulling sickies’) or exaggerating symptoms or a condition to justify more time off work. For managers and HR, this means being alert to signs of potential issues, such as being given a […]
Recruitment Discrimination: UK Laws & Prevention
To avoid allegations of unlawful discrimination in recruitment, employers should not select candidates for any reason other than their qualifications and experience, unless certain limited exceptions apply. In this guide, we explain the discrimination rules for anyone responsible for recruiting, interviewing and selecting job candidates, including advice on preventing discrimination claims and when discrimination may […]
What Crimes Affect UK Citizenship Eligibility?
We regularly receive queries concerning applications for naturalisation which have either been refused because of a person’s failure to disclose a criminal conviction, or where the applicant is unsure as to what to declare on their British citizenship application. The guidance issued by the Home Office on criminality is far from straight forward for applicants […]