Five ways an employer can support employees with mental health and wellbeing
Mental health awareness week provides a welcomed opportunity to remind ourselves of the continued importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Employers are well positioned to provide and promote a mentally healthy environment, encourage people to access support early for a faster recovery and even stopping preventable issues. Employer duties toward mental […]
Employment Law Developments in 2024
In recent years, very little has changed in terms of employment law, with any legislation introduced relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years on, and with businesses moving forward in quite a different employment landscape that encompasses a more agile and flexible way of working, we are now starting to see new and existing laws […]
Right to request flexible working
All employees have the statutory right to request a change to the terms and conditions of their employment, where that change relates to the hours, times and/or location of their work. This is commonly referred to as a request for flexible working. What is a request for flexible working? A request for flexible working involves […]
No Falls Week
According to statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it has been identified that tragically, between 2022 and 2023, the main cause of fatalities at work was due to falls from a height. This resulted in 40 workers losing their lives. Launching the first No Falls Week This year, the first ever No Falls Week will run […]
Fit Note Reform: Call for Evidence
Ahead of a full consultation, a call for evidence has been launched as part of a broader initiative to reform the fit note. Originally introduced in 2010 to replace the sick note, the fit note emphasised the benefits of returning to work and provided employers with essential information to support an earlier return to work. […]
Fewer Bank Holidays in 2024-2025: Manage The Risk of a Shortfall in Holiday Entitlement
Employers operating a holiday year from 1 April to 31 March face a unique challenge this year, as there will be only seven bank and public holidays, compared with the usual eight. This shift follows a year that included ten bank holidays, including a special day for the Coronation of King Charles. For those aligning […]
Managing the rules on flexible working and predictable terms and conditions
Here is the Hot Topic for May 2024 and an accompanying webinar will follow, which will be hosted on 9 May 2024. Introduction This year we are seeing significant changes to the rules around working arrangements. Not only have the rules around flexible working changed, but new legislation will soon be introduced that will give […]
The right to request predictable terms and conditions
Introduction to the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 is expected to come into force later this year, likely around September/October. When introduced, this Act will give employees the right to request more predictable terms and conditions of employment. Pre-Implementation Consultation and Legislation for Predictable Terms […]
Latest development in employment law – Allocation of tips
We are just a few weeks in from having implemented new and updated employment legislation and we have further legal developments to bring you. This time, however, it is specific to certain industries where tips, gratuities and service charges are paid. Introduction of the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 Following a recent Government update […]
Stress Awareness Month: Tackling Work-Related Stress
April marks Stress Awareness Month, and the Health and Safety Executive are encouraging employers to actively manage work-related stress and mental health issues. Impact of Work-Related Stress on Workforce Health During the recent announcement of the HSE’s annual statistics in November 2023, it was reported that out of 35.2 million working days lost in 2022/23, […]
Launch of the ‘keep thriving’ campaign
The British Safety Council has launched its ‘Keep Thriving’ Campaign aimed at improving employee wellbeing. This initiative encourages employers to proactively engage in enhancing their workplace environments. Objectives of the Keep Thriving Campaign As part of the ‘Keep Thriving’ campaign, the British Safety Council is asking employers to: Appoint an Executive Director responsible for wellbeing, […]
Is there a sick note culture in the UK?
On Friday 19 April, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced intentions to tackle, what he believes, to be a sick note culture in the UK. But is this an accurate reflection? The reality of sickness absence It is a topic of debate reflecting attitudes towards the legitimacy of sickness absence, but it shouldn’t be […]
HR Solutions Faces Huge Household Names in Prestigious National Awards
We are thrilled to announce that HR Solutions, a leader in HR consultancy services, has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards. This recognition celebrates our commitment to a people-centric approach, placing us alongside household names such as supermarket giant ALDI and retail royalty Selfridges.” National Awards We have been named as a finalist in […]
HR Solutions publish Strategic HR Thinking Whitepaper
DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER The landscape of Human Resources (HR) is not just changing — it’s metamorphosing. The roles and responsibilities that were once the cornerstone of HR are being redefined in light of a globalised workforce, the ubiquity of remote working, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, advances in data analytics, the impact of AI in […]
Omooba v Michael Garrett Associates Ltd (t/a Global Artists and Leicester Theatre Trust)
Christian actress was dismissed for a social media backlash in response to her beliefs on homosexuality, loses discrimination case and seeks Court of Appeal hearing. The case of Omooba v Michael Garrett Associates Ltd (t/a Global Artists and Leicester Theatre Trust) considers how and when the Equality Act 2010 may (or may not) protect religious […]
Simplifying Family Leave – Practical Solutions for SMEs and HR Practitioners
Are you an SME business owner or HR practitioner feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of family leave entitlements? Managing family leave can feel daunting and we often face challenges in interpreting this complex area of law. With 2024 being a big year for employment law, especially with family leave entitlements, in this month’s Hot Topic, […]
The Carers Leave Regulations 2024
These new regulations, effective from 6 April 2024, are designed to assist employees in balancing their professional and personal obligations by granting them the right to take up to one week of unpaid leave in any 12-month period to provide or arrange care for dependants with long-term care needs and not to be dismissed or […]
The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023
This Act, expected September/October, will give workers and agency workers a new statutory right to request more predictable terms and conditions of work. Circumstances Qualifying for a Request Qualifying workers will have the entitlement to submit a request under the following circumstances: there is a lack of predictability as regards any part of their work […]
Full changes to Flexible Working Confirmed!
For those of you who have been following this area of development closely, you will know that for a long time, we have only had confirmation that flexible working will become a day one right, despite when the legislation was passed, it would bring in several changes. However, on returning from the Easter break, it […]
Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot: Expression of Interest
This new pilot scheme will support small and medium-sized enterprises in the Professional and Business Services sector by match-funding AI skills training for their employees. It aims to boost AI adoption and productivity by encouraging greater employer investment in skills and training. It will assess whether training SMEs in AI maximises its value, particularly through […]
