Category: Employment
Apr 2024
Employment law updates - 6 April 2024
As of 6 April 2024, employers must comply with some family-focussed changes to Employment law in the form of four key pieces of legislation:
Mar 2024
Highlights from the Budget speech
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has given his latest Budget and outline of spending. It is expected to be the last Budget speech before the next general election this year.
Feb 2024
Menopause and the law: employers need to start making changes – or face more women leaving the workforce
Workplaces must now be seen to be making “reasonable adjustments” for women experiencing menopausal symptoms or face the possibility of being sued, under new guidance released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Feb 2024
When can you turn down a job offer in a redundancy situation?
How should my employer proceed?
When there are proposed redundancies, your employer should commence individual consultation meetings with those affected. During the consultation process, they should consider suggestions on ways to avoid the redundancies, and look for suitable alternative employment options.
Nov 2023
Don’t gift yourself a festive faux pas!
The “work do”, “office Christmas party”, “a get-together for a few drinks”. Whatever you like to call it, if you’re not careful, the one outcome could be more than a sore head!
Nov 2023
Autumn Statement: Key points at a glance
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his highly anticipated Autumn Statement speech, setting out spending plans for the year ahead. As the cost of living crisis continues to take hold, many households were wondering how their budgets would be affected by the Chancellor’s measures.
Jun 2023
General tips for Employers - The Redundancy process
As a result of the challenging economic climate, many employers are embarking on restructuring and redundancy exercises. Does this apply to you? Perhaps you are closing your business, closing a workplace or there is a reduction in the need for particular employees.
May 2023
ACAS launches new mental health guidance for the workplace
Employers are being urged to familiar themselves with new mental health guidance released by ACAS for better wellbeing at work.
May 2023
Let's talk about Menopause in the work place - Interview with GWR (Great Western railway)
In June 2022, the Employment Team at Downs Solicitors LLP, held a webinar discussing menopause in the workplace and emphasised that it was something that needed further recognition amongst employees and employers. If issues or concerns are not addressed in the right way, some instances could lead to an Employment Tribunal case. This is a growing area of difficulty for employers; Employment Tribunals involving menopause increased by 44% in 2021, with 23 cases referencing it compared to 16 the previous year, according to analysis of court data by the Menopause Experts Group. The webinar was designed to be a tool to inform employers of the significance of the symptoms women face and show what role an employer can play in providing support.
Apr 2023
Business insolvencies hit record highs
The number of businesses going into liquidation has been climbing steadily since late 2022 and have hit record high levels this year – even more so than during the pandemic. But, what is it that is driving this rise in insolvency?
