The Migration Advisory Committee in its latest report, published this week, recommends a major review of the SOL so that includes almost 9% of jobs in the labour market, a significant increase from the current 1%. The Migration Advisory Committee or otherwise known as MAC offers government advice on its immigration policy, and on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). ...
We previously reported on the cases of Ali v Capita Customer Management Ltd and Hextall v Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police which left us with competing judgments on whether a failure to increase statutory parental pay to match enhanced maternity pay would be discriminatory on the grounds of sex. We now have appellate authority from the Court of Appeal in these cases (which were joined). ...
New research shows that nearly 50% of employees have at some point resigned as a direct consequence of their poor working relationship with their boss. Process management firm Process Bliss undertook the research, conducting an online survey within the UK of small to medium sized businesses. ...
In the recent case of Owen v AMEC Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd and another, the Court of Appeal held that withdrawing the offer of an international placement due to concerns arising from the Claimant’s medical assessment did not amount to disability discrimination. The Claimant was in poor physical health and suffered from hypertension, kidney disease, ischaemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity....
In Federación de Servicios de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) v Deutsche Bank SAE, a trade union in Spain brought a claim against Deutsche Bank, which did not keep a record of the hours its employees worked on a daily basis. The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided that if there were no requirement to keep records “it would be impossible to determine objectively and reliably either the number of hours worked by the worker [or] when that work was done”....
According to The Government's Department of Health, 25% of us will experience mental health issues at some point in our lives. A study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development...
Whilst it may be common place for retail staff to open and close their stores outside of their contractual hours, employers should be wary and ensure that everyone adequately remunerated for such activities. In the recent case Fitz v Holland and Barrett, Employment Judge Siddall posited such advice in her judgement. ...
For years many couples have become frustrated by the requirements for a spouse visa as the rules and guidance are difficult to understand. A significant amount of applications are rejected on the basis of the applicant not providing the adequate documents to evidence the relationship requirement....
Last week it was reported that the Department for Transport was cancelling two contracts to provide cross-Channel ferry services it hastily entered into in January, in anticipation of a no-deal Brexit. The cancellation of the contracts is expected to cost more than £50million....
TAG Alliances celebrates its 20th anniversary with its members in London...
A report released by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) has revealed that just 5% of companies would appoint an employee to their board of directors, despite a push by the Government to improve employee participation in board meetings. Under the Corporate Governance Code, companies are asked to strengthen the “employee voice” in boardrooms....
In the recent case of Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd, the EAT allowed an appeal by a Claimant against the Tribunal’s decision to reject her claim for disability related discrimination. Whilst it was found that the Respondent did not have knowledge of the Claimant’s disability (either actual or constructive) prior to dismissing her, it had gained this knowledge when it was told of her depression at the appeal hearing....
A good chunk of the TCC’s business concerns the enforcement of arbitration awards. It is well known that there are very limited circumstances in which it will refuse to do so. One such ground is where the adjudication award was procured by fraud and we reported last year on the unsuccessful attempt in Gosvenor v Aygun....
In Swansea Stadium Management Company Ltd v City & County of Swansea and another [2019] EWHC 989 it was held that a notice or certificate of making good defects is conclusive that identified defects have been made good....
The UK’s economy is extremely resilient and continues to provide foreign investors with a stable base to access European markets and beyond. Following the closure of the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, the Tier 1 Investor visa has become the primary choice for a significant number of investors to come to the UK....
The days of US nationals and nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea waiting in long queues for UK border control are numbered. From June 2019, nationals of these countries will be granted automatic entry to visit using the Electronic gates...
The 2018-2019 report of the Social Mobility Commission, released this week, provides an opportunity for HR professionals to consider ways to add further value to businesses....
“Culture is the sum of a company’s values, traditions, beliefs, interactions, behaviours and attitudes” according to the co-founder of communications platform Speakap the company responsible for a new survey on the importance of workplace culture....
Henley Business Angels (HBA) is delighted to welcome leading Thames Valley commercial law firm, Clarkslegal LLP, as a new sponsor....
Research from the CIPD suggests that menopause in the workplace remains mismanaged and shrouded in silence, despite impacting an increasing number of employees. The NHS states that the average age for menopause transition in the UK is 51. ...