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How to Avoid Employment Law Issues at Christmas Parties

How to Avoid Employment Law Issues at Christmas Parties

With the countdown to Christmas already started, it might be an idea to look at how to avoid the potential employment law issues at Christmas parties. Without wanting to be viewed as the 'Scrooge' of the party season, we think that it is helpful to set out some useful tips before entering into the party season and heading for that next glass of mulled wine.

Employees should continue to be aware that when on a work Christmas lunch or dinner, they are still employed by

TUPE Regulations - What Are the Changes?

TUPE Regulations - What Are the Changes?

Are you up to date with the changes in TUPE regulations? In November 2011, the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation (BIS) published a call for evidence, seeking views on the effectiveness of the current TUPE regulations. This was on the basis that it was thought that the regulations 'gold-plated' the EU Directive.

Following this call for evidence, the Government announced how the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 will change. After deciding not to go ahead with two significant changes it

Introduction of Employment Tribunal Fees

Introduction of Employment Tribunal Fees

29 July 2013 marks a dramatic change to employment tribunals (ET) as we have known them, with the introduction of employment tribunal fees. Under these new rules, claimants will be required to pay an upfront fee when submitting their claim to the ET and a further 'hearing fee' 21 days before their hearing takes place.

From 29 July, claimants wishing to submit a claim to the ET will be required to pay £160 or £250 to lodge a claim with a further charge of either

Stress at Work- Can a Stress Audit Help?

Stress at Work- Can a Stress Audit Help?

There are at least 3 reasons why we need to take the issue of stress at work seriously and show the importance of a stress audit:

1. The Business Reason:

The 2012 CIPD Absence Management Survey identified stress as the top cause for long term absence in manual and non-manual workers. As absence is estimated to cost employers in the region of £600 per employee per year, this shows how stress actually costs money. Stress also can affect the productivity of staff who remain, so

Do Employers Need a Social Media Policy?

Do Employers Need a Social Media Policy?

Should employers have a social media policy? The potential employment risks around social media was highlighted this month after the resignation of the first Youth Police and Crime Commissioner, Paris Brown, following racist tweets on her Twitter account. Although the tweets were sent before she applied for and accepted the job, they were there to be scrutinised by her future employers and the media.

It is taken for granted that everyone now has some sort of online presence  be it for business, pleasure or both.

Disability Discrimination - A Weighty Issue

Disability Discrimination - A Weighty Issue

We are often asked by employers to advise on disability discrimination.

Equality Act 2010 states 'a person has a disability if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activities'. Long term means the impairment has lasted, or is likely to last:

  • at least 12 months
  • or for the rest of a person's life
  • or, if it is in remission, is likely to recur

The guidance