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The latest news from Lighthouse
23rd September 2020
What’s Happening.. Many businesses including some of the UK’s largest employers have rushed to pause plans for staff to return to their UK offices following fresh government guidance on coronavirus. What’s the plan? It appears that large city-based firms are giving a thumbs down to the idea of fully reopening, not only due to the practicalities of accommodating staff […]
12th August 2020
The Manchester restaurant ‘20 Stories’ received over one thousand applications for a receptionist job within twenty-four hours of posting the role, highlighting the lack of positions available and the considerable rise in unemployment. It is likely that such a large talent pool provides opportunities for businesses to have their pick of many highly qualified candidates; […]
4th August 2020
The marriage discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010 largely reflect the protection afforded from discrimination for married persons as set out in the original Sex Discrimination Act 1975. Marriage and civil partnership discrimination occur when there is direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, or victimisation on the basis of the union. Compensation is uncapped and not […]
1st July 2020
Employers may take steps to monitor employees using CCTV, bag searches, drug testing, or checks on websites or emails. The extent of the monitoring should be set out clearly in the employee handbook/contract of employment and should not be a surprise to the employee; the employer should also ensure that the monitoring is compliant with […]
17th June 2020
Managing an employee with a drinking problem is a complex matter, requiring consideration for confidentiality, understanding and support that would normally be applied in other physical or mental health scenarios. Drinking at work is not illegal in office spaces, however, it would be an offence if for example driving vehicles or operating machinery. Taking alcohol […]
2nd June 2020
A Non Disclosure Agreement (“NDA”) or a confidentiality clause may be used by an employer to prevent an employee from disclosing information. Amid growing controversy in the use of NDAs in cases of criminal activity, sexual harassment, discrimination and whistleblowing, ACAS recently issued new guidance in the fair and proper use of such a document. […]
19th May 2020
When seeking to terminate the contract of employment through dismissal for performance, the employer must show a justifiable reason for it; namely that the employee has fallen below the standard of capability required to perform their role. Capability is contextualised with particular reference to health, physical or mental impairments as well as general performance issues […]
28th April 2020
With Coronavirus impacting businesses and the immediate employment law challenges being faced, it could be easy to miss the introduction of an increase to the National Minimum Wage (“NMW”), taking hourly pay for people aged 25 and over to £8.72 (among other changes). An employer perceived by an HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) enforcement officer […]
21st April 2020
As reported in our blog article on COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace being reportable under RIDDOR 2013, the HSE has now issued an email confirming that organisations identified as not conforming to current guidance on social distancing will have action taken against them. These actions can range from the HSE providing specific advice on systems […]