Sadly, as I write this article, the latest Covid-19 statistics that are being set out by the government make it clear that the numbers of new cases are going to remain high for some time to come. As a result of this, we are receiving more calls from employers struggling to understand what to do…
‘If you can work from home, then you must do so’, was the continuing and resounding directive from the Prime Minister on the 5th January 2021. Not the way any of us wanted to kickstart the New Year, but it is what it is. From this Governmental announcement, England entered another National Lockdown, meaning that…
You can find the latest furlough scheme updates here: 8 January 2021 HMRC has updated its guidance to state that employers can furlough employees whose health has been affected by COVID-19 or any other conditions, including if they are unable to work from home, or working reduced hours, because they: are clinically extremely vulnerable, or at…
‘Blue Monday’ has become a recognisable turn of phrase in January. And with the announcement of a 3rd national lockdown, we are all feeling the weight of the Coronavirus pandemic on our lives. It’s more important than ever for employers to address their employees’ mental health and wellbeing ahead of the upcoming year. What is…
Updated: 16/11/2020 Following the Government’s announcement that the furlough scheme would be extended on the 5th November until 31st March 2021, further guidance has now been published. The scheme is expected to be reviewed once again in January 2021. Here’s an update on what we know so far: Employers can claim for employees who were…
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for at least a month, as the government announces a second month-long national lockdown starting 5th November. The PM explained that the proposed job retention scheme has been put on hold so that the furlough scheme can be extended, however for the next month, the government will…
At the end of September, the government announced its new furlough scheme, the Job Support Scheme (JSS). A further amendment to the scheme was announced today by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and is due to begin on 1st November 2020. The increased support for businesses and workers comes after growing pressure from firms in tier two…
Saturday 10th October was World Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to spreading the message that it’s okay not to be okay, and to encouraging all of us to talk. But because it was a Saturday, it is possible that it may have been overlooked by some people. Sadly, there are over 6,000 calls to Samaritans…
Andrew Wilson, head of our Employment Law Department, has been considering the impact of existing human rights laws relating to privacy in home working arrangements, given our ongoing COVID-19 lockdown situations.
New Coronavirus regulations have been made. If an employer has a worker who has tested positive for COVID-19 (or lives with someone who has tested positive), they are now responsible for stopping the worker from working (unless they can work from home). If they fail to do so, employers will face a fine, starting at…