Employment Update December 2011

By on 07/12/2011.

Contrary to popular belief the main risk to your business is not employees accessing social networking sites when they are at work, it is what they say when they are on there and how it could impact your reputation.  This quarter's Employment Update looks at the issues surrounding privacy settings on social media sites and how they can directly affect your business.

It also takes a look at the European Social Framework on Work Related Stress and simplifies the process for managing a phased return to work after a long-term absence.

Employment Update - September 2011

By on 05/09/2011.

This quarter's Employment Update looks at the affect of the long awaited Agency Worker Regulations set to take effect from the 1st of October 2011, and investigates the Government's review of employment red tape.  It also simplifies the Flexible Working Application Process, reviews recent Employment Tribunal decisions and raises the alert over annual leave in 2012. 

Don't Let Bribery Catch You Out

By Megan O Hara, Gemma Workman on 03/03/2011.

The Bribery Act 2010 was due to come into force in April 2011.  However, as the Government has yet to publish the final guidelines for companies to assist them in complying with the Act as it had intended, it has decided to delay the implementation of the Act.

The Government's intention is to publish its guidance for organisations following which there will be a three month notice period before the Act is implemented.  But when will this be?  We are now left in a position of uncertainty. 

Additional Bank Holidays

By Kevin Nolan, Gemma Workman, Sammy Coles on 12/01/2011.

The Government has announced that there is going to be an additional bank holiday on 29 April 2011 on the occasion of the Royal Wedding and one on 6 June 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  But what does this mean for employers?

This edition of Employment Update gives tips on how employers should handle these additional bank holidays, including establishing whether or not their staff are automatically entitled to them.

We also take a brief look at conducting a performance appraisal, the Government's plans to address the gender pay gap, enhanced maternity pay for fathers and the February increase to Employment Tribunal compensation levels. 

Levelling the Playing Field

By Patrick Glencross on 17/12/2010.

The Government has announced the withdrawal of the Two-Tier Code which is intended to open up the public sector procurement market, in particular to the SME and voluntary sectors.  This development will have major implications for businesses which contract with the public sector or which are considering whether to pursue procurement opportunities in the future.

In this bulletin we summarise the requirements under the Two-Tier Code and outline the new Principles of Good Employment Practice which replace the code and discuss the practical implications for businesses which are involved in public sector procurement.