Category: Employment

August 2018

Immigration reform and workforce trends

The Government’s white paper on post-Brexit immigration policy is expected in October. Will the future immigration rules reflect the self-employment and flexible working that are now intrinsic to the UK labour force?

July 2018

Employers glimpse the future of EU skilled migration

The Brexit White Paper of 12 July 2018 suggests what the future of skilled EU migrants in the UK might look like, but the wording is vague. In this analysis for Thomson Reuters, Downs Head of Immigration Samar Shams tries to decode the government’s plans for skilled migration from the EU.

July 2018

Downs Solicitors submits evidence to the Home Affairs Committee

The Home Affairs Committee has published Downs Solicitors’ submission to its inquiry on post-Brexit migration policy. The submission, drafted by Head of Immigration Samar Shams, makes suggestions relating to the future of work and the realities of corporate restructurings. Samar argues for appeal rights and gender equality, and the reduction of application fees. Samar also warns that mobility negotiations might lead to overly complex immigration rules and requirements.

July 2018

GDPR and Immigration: How to fulfil both

In this month’s Employment Law Journal, Downs’s Head of Immigration Samar Shams offers practical advice on GDPR compliance. The analysis covers immigration contexts including the resident labour market test and visa applications as well as right to work checks. The article is designed to support employers in this developing area of compliance.

June 2018

Dispelling the myth: Can employees go home early if office temperatures are too high?

As the temperatures set to reach record levels in the UK over the next week or so, there’s no doubt that many of us will be enjoying the great outdoors. But, what about those long office hours in stuffy, windowless buildings? Are employees entitled to go home if it is too hot? Do they have a “right” to air conditioning, for example?

June 2018

EU Nationals and Family Members to come under UK Settlement Scheme

The Home Office published a Statement of Intent on 21 June 2018 setting out the application processes EU nationals and their family members will have to undertake to stay in the UK beyond the post-Brexit transition period. The Statement does not indicate when exactly the application process will open, stating only ‘late 2018’. The settlement scheme will be introduced in phases, and will open fully from 30 March 2019. Subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations, the UK proposes to extend the settlement scheme to EEA and Swiss citizens.

June 2018

For the technology sector, the Immigration Rules just got real

The Tech Nation (formerly Tech City) visa scheme has gradually become useful. The Tech Nation scheme falls under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category, for migrants with outstanding achievements or promise in their fields. During Tech Week , the Home Office published (another) Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules. The changes take effect next month and include changes to the Tech Nation scheme which will be of interest to migrant techies.

June 2018

Does your business have a game plan in place for the start of the World Cup?

Even those who are not football fans will probably be aware that the Football World Cup competition starts in Russia on 14 June. ACAS have produced some guidance to assist employers in dealing with the issues that are always thrown up by tournaments of this kind.

April 2018

Bridging the pay gap

Tuesday 10th April represents National Equal Pay Day – and what better time to be talking about it than now? With the first phases of Gender Pay Gap reporting now in the news, the spotlight is firmly on businesses to account for their pay data.

March 2018

Turning the tables on Sexual Harassment

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published a report, Turning the tables: ending sexual harassment at work report recommending steps to strengthen protection for victims of sexual harassment, promoting transparency and placing a legal duty on employers to take effective steps to prevent sexual harassment. The report has also recommended an increase in compensation levels for victims where this duty has been breached.