‘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…
What is a Risk Assessment? It’s the process by which you consider how dangerous something is and what you need to do to prevent or minimise the harm. They are a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and if produced and used well, protect your business and your…
‘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…
Brexit is still coming, but the prospects of a ‘deal’ are looking quite slim. Nevertheless, from the 1st January 2021, any EU nationals arriving in the UK will need to obtain a visa and possibly a sponsorship agreement with a prospective employer. And any EU nationals who had arrived in the UK before the end…
IR35 Checklist: What do you need to do before April 2021? IR35 rules make sure that workers, who would have been an employee if they were providing their services directly to the client, pay broadly the same tax and National Insurance contributions as employees. Originally planned to take effect from 6 April 2020, due to…
How to Prepare for Winter Shutdown With a large proportion of construction sites about to shut down for a fortnight, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips to ensure that they remain safe over the holiday season. Prior to shutdown, make sure that you walk the entire site, checking that…
Take Care at Work this Winter Winter conditions can lead to many increased work-related risks, such as slips, trips and falls, so it’s paramount to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of other site staff and members of the public over this period. Regardless of the size of your site, you should always…
Let’s go crackers this Christmas! It has been a tough year for everyone, including the Lighthouse Club, our Construction Industry Charity. They are the only charity that provides physical, mental and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. Their caseload has gone through the roof at a time…
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…