Insights & News

Hybrid working arrangements

Inbrief

26 October 2022

Long-term remote working arrangements have become increasingly common.

Menopause and work

Inbrief

11 October 2022

Women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing group in the workforce. As more employees go through the menopause during their working lives, employers need to be aware of the impact in the workplace.

How to mitigate the risk of employment claims about working during Covid-19 – a table

07 April 2022

Our table for employers sets out the practical steps to take in order to reduce the scope for claims from employees arising out of working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus vaccination - FAQs for employers

06 April 2022

On 21 February the government launched its “Living with Covid” strategy”. As a result of this, many of the Covid measures in England have changed significantly with implications for employers wishing to adopt a particular stance on vaccination.

Workforce testing – FAQs for employers

14 March 2022

Coronavirus - FAQs for employers on working from home

11 March 2022

These FAQs look at an employer’s obligations towards staff working from home.

Employment Tribunal rulings on Covid-19 issues – what can we learn?

02 September 2021

The pandemic required many employers to make difficult decisions in unprecedented and rapidly evolving circumstances, giving rise to concerns this would lead to a deluge of Employment Tribunal claims. We look at some of the early cases to see what lessons can be learnt when planning for a return to work.

End of lockdown restrictions – what does the new workplace safety guidance say?

15 July 2021

The government has updated its guidance on how to make workplaces Covid secure from 19 July 2021 when England moves to step 4 and most Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. This article sets out the most important issues for employers to consider in light of the new guidance.

End of lockdown restrictions – what should employers be thinking about?

08 July 2021

The government has announced plans to lift the remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England on 19 July 2021, including the instruction to work from home where possible. This article looks at the immediate implications for employers and the issues for which they will need to decide on their approach and prepare.

How to manage occupational health compliance: Vince Toman comments for Supply Management

Press

14 May 2021

The pandemic has forced many employees to construct makeshift workstations, while battling family members for space. One year on, and with millions still at home, is there a looming threat of occupational health risks ahead?

High Court rules that ‘workers’ should be protected from health and safety detriment (UK)

19 November 2020

The UK has failed to properly implement EU health and safety law by restricting protection from detriment on health and safety grounds to “employees”, the High Court has ruled in a recent case. The extension of such protection to the broader category of “workers” potentially increases employers’ exposure to Covid-related health and safety claims.

RE:Occupy - Managing the reoccupation of your premises

18 November 2020

With a fresh lockdown in place until early December – at least – corporate occupiers are once again faced with considering how best to manage their return to offices. Occupiers have already briefly experienced life back in premises under Covid-measures, including ensuring they, and their landlords, comply with health and safety guidelines, protect against possible contractual or negligence claims from their employees So, who is liable for what?

Face coverings and the workplace

01 October 2020

This article sets out our updated analysis of the current rules regarding face coverings at work and some of the practical issues that arise for employers.

What does the return to retail look like?

03 June 2020

Retail businesses are starting to reopen as part of the government’s plans to ease the country out of lockdown. How should retailers go about preparing to make a return to our high streets and shopping centres?

Does an employer’s duty of care extend to commuting to work?

21 May 2020

As more people return to workplaces, how far does an employer’s duty of care cover risks to employees during their commute to work? And how should employers deal with staff refusing to travel to work for fear of contracting Covid-19?

Top tips for returning to the workplace

30 April 2020

As the government looks to ease current restrictions, it will be important for businesses to start to think carefully about how to safely manage the process of returning to the workplace. Our top tips cover some of the key aspects to consider.

Business as (un)usual - how to manage a return to business after Covid-19

24 April 2020

The UK’s lockdown has been extended until at least 7 May 2020 and there may then be a further extension. When it is eventually lifted, measures for a gradual and phased return to the workplace are likely to be imposed, with social-distancing measures remaining in place. You need to start thinking now about how to manage this process.

Enforced homeworking during the coronavirus crisis – employers’ health and safety obligations

02 April 2020

On 23 March 2020, the government announced that everyone was required to stay at home for at least three weeks, unless they have work which “absolutely” cannot be done at home. This article explains an employer’s health and safety responsibilities towards this significant group of temporary homeworkers during the enforced period of homeworking.

When is a ban on headscarves at work discriminatory?

16 March 2017

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has given its first ruling on the right to wear an Islamic headscarf at work, in two separate cases which both involved the dismissal of a Muslim employee for refusing to remove her headscarf in breach of the employer’s dress code.