Transgenderism religious views and the Equality Act
This is an Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on whether a Christian’s beliefs about transgenderism were protected under the Equality Act 2010. Dr David Mackereth, a Christian, was dismissed for refusing to use a transgender service user’s preferred pronoun. Both religious belief and gender reassignment are protected characteristics under this act. The circumstances Dr David Mackereth […]
The Latest Update on Employment Statistics
In recent months we have seen significant changes with employment. Despite experiencing ‘the great resignation‘, a topic area that we have covered extensively at HR Solutions, employment levels actually appear to be on the rise. With the number of people in the UK on payroll rising by 3% compared to the previous year, and the […]
Cost of living: key tips to help
In recent months we have seen significant changes that have had a direct effect on the overall cost of living. Factors including the fuel and energy price increases have had an impact on everyone in the UK. The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the UK Government and the increases that we are now experiencing […]
The Latest Developments within Immigration
Since the introduction of the points-based immigration system, we have continued to see developments in how employers recruit from outside the UK. In this hot topic, we look at the recent developments and what is expected in the future. Webinar: Immigration – the latest developments On Thursday 14 July from 10 am – 11 am […]
Employer discriminated against breastfeeding mother
A teacher who had recently returned to work and needed somewhere to express milk during the day for her baby was found to have been discriminated against when she was forced to use “dirty” toilets to do this. This is the case of a teacher, Ms Mellor, who had submitted a flexible working request before […]
UK employers facing staffing squeeze as number of vacancies hit record high
Employers face the worst candidate shortage on record as Brexit, and a post-lockdown surge in the economy are impacting recruitment. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) reveals that employers are growing increasingly frustrated as vacancies reach 1.66 million, with that figure expected to rise in the next few months. The staffing squeeze has been made […]
HR consultancy director scoops prestigious award
Helen Astill, managing director of Cherington HR, has scooped the HR Consulting MD of the Year 2021 award in Acquisition International’s Influential Businesswoman Awards. Cherington HR was acquired by HR Solutions in July 2021, broadening the range of services available and adding additional experienced staff to be able to continue to provide excellent service to […]
What is garden leave and how can it affect your business?
‘Garden leave’ describes a period when employees are serving out their notice period but are not required to attend work; either because there is no work for them to do or because the employer is concerned that their attendance at work could cause problems. Garden leave originated with employers that wanted their employees to adhere […]
What can the UK do to tackle the HGV driver shortage?
The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of more than 100,000 qualified drivers. According to a survey by the Road Haulage Association, this shortfall includes thousands of skilled drivers from EU member states who previously lived and worked in Britain. Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have caused thousands of drivers to leave the UK. Meanwhile, […]
Employer Meesho allows new parents to take gender-neutral leave
Meesho, a social e-commerce platform, has introduced a 30-week gender-neutral parental policy that enables all employees to take parental leave regardless of their gender, sexual identity or marital status. Bangalore-based Meesho wants to ensure that its employees are entitled to the same benefits that let them spend quality time with their children. Gender-neutral parental leave […]
Menopause Awareness Month: managing the menopause in the workplace
The menopause is a taboo subject, especially within the workplace. We know from research that those employees who fall in this demographic are, in general, treated negatively because of it. October is World Menopause Month, and 18th October is World Menopause Day – created to raise awareness and provide support to those going through it. […]
Points Based Immigration System
Summary The free movement of people within the EU to the UK will ended on 31 December 2020 and from 1 January 2021 a new points based immigration system was introduced, which will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally in terms of working in the UK. This article explains how the new system. What is […]
Brexit: Impact on Unemployment and Recruitment
We have officially left the EU and are in a transition period, but it is this transition period which is key phase as it will result in how the UK and EU conduct future trade. Negotiations are currently ongoing to determine the future relationship between the UK and EU. The agreement will be vital in determining how Brexit impacts on the […]
Government announces ‘Office for Talent’ to improve scientist immigration experience
The government plans to create a new cross-departmental ‘Office for Talent’ to help leading researchers and scientists to live and work in the UK post-Brexit. Its UK Research and Development Roadmap builds on a budget previously announced in March, that will prioritise ground-breaking research, attract global talent and cut any unnecessary red tape. The aim […]
One in seven care workers on zero- hours contracts
The latest Office for National Statistics figures show a steep rise in the number of care workers on zero-hours contracts. In 2015, the number stood at roughly one in ten. It is now one in seven. Unemployment steady but employment insecure These figures follow the news that in the three months up to August, UK […]
Ministers urged to tackle Muslim unemployment inequality in the UK
A House of Commons report has revealed that Muslim unemployment is the highest of all the ethnic and religious groups in the UK. The report by the Women and Equalities Committee, found that the average unemployment figure is 5.4%, but the figure among Muslims is 12.8%. The Employment Opportunities for Muslims in the UK report, […]
Too Many Applicants: Store Swamped at Open Recruitment Event
An electronics shop in Northampton found itself inundated with applicants when it held an open recruitment event. 150 hopeful job hunters queued outside of the CeX shop in Weston Favell, Northampton in January when the shop held an open evening to hire new staff. Whilst there were only four vacancies originally advertised, six people were ultimately offered positions. […]
Best UK Jobs for 2016 Revealed
Employer review website Glassdoor has revealed their list of the 25 best jobs in the UK for the year ahead. Glassdoor identifies the most desirable jobs in the country based on three factors: earning potential, career opportunities and job availability. This is the second such annual survey by the site. Management roles made up eight of the […]
Restaurant Cuts Hours to Improve Quality of Life
An award-winning restaurant has reduced its opening hours in a bid to improve staff quality of life. Hibiscus, a two Michelin-starred establishment run by chef Claude Bosi, has reduced its lunch services from five days to three days a week. Lunch now runs from Thursday to Saturday whilst dinner runs from Tuesday to Saturday, giving staff […]
UK Unemployment Hits Decade Low
UK unemployment held at 5.1% over the three months from November to January, the lowest rate since 2006. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that weekly earnings grew at a faster pace than expected. Meanwhile job creation slowed over the same period. The number of unemployed fell by 28,000 from the last quarter to […]