Insights & News
Search for Insights & News
-
Ads & Brands Law Digest: March 2022
07 March 2022Welcome to the March 2022 edition of our Digest, covering legal and regulatory developments from the last few weeks relevant to advertising, marketing and brand-owning businesses. As usual, for each item we provide a succinct summary accompanied by a link to the full text of the relevant official source or our own report.
-
Hong Kong government tables bill to abolish Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting mechanism to the Legislative Council
07 March 2022There is finally visibility on how the government proposes to sunset the controversial Mandatory Provident Fund (“MPF”) offsetting mechanism as the long-awaited Employment and Retirement Schemes Legislation (Offsetting Arrangement) (Amendment) Bill (“Bill”) was tabled to the Legislative Council on 23 February 2022. The government hopes that the law will be finalised within the current government office term and expects the mechanism to be abolished by 2025. This article provides a summary of the key changes and some key takeaways for employers.
-
The war in Ukraine – employment issues
03 March 2022The shocking situation in Ukraine raises some potentially tricky issues about employees who are called up to active duty or wish to join the armed forces voluntarily, and about managing relationships within the workplace.
-
Consultation on banded hours contracts and enhanced rights for zero-hour workers in Northern Ireland
28 February 2022The Northern Ireland Assembly is consulting on proposed legislation to enhance the statutory protections for zero-hours workers, including call-out payments, banning exclusivity clauses and introducing the right to request a “banded hours” contract. Consultation closes on 4 March 2022.
-
The end of mask wearing and Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland (RTE Radio 1)
28 February 2022Linda Hynes speaks to RTE Radio 1 about her views on the end of the legal requirements to wear a face covering.
-
Restructuring the workplace post Covid-19 - FAQs for employers
25 February 2022As the furlough scheme has now ended, some employers are focused on cost-saving measures in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
-
Using the NHS Covid pass for staff
25 February 2022The NHS Covid pass offers businesses an easy way of discovering an individual’s Covid status but there are legal issues to consider first. This insight considers the key data protection and equalities issues raised by using the pass for staff.
-
Furloughing employees - FAQs for employers on the coronavirus job retention scheme
25 February 2022The furlough scheme is due to end on 30 September 2021, with employer contributions gradually increasing from July onwards. These FAQs cover all aspects of how the scheme operates.
-
-
How can brands avoid Greenwashing: Victor Timon comments for Wasted.ie
25 February 2022As efforts across our industries intensify to meet the climate crisis challenge head-on, so too does the accusation of ‘Greenwashing’.
-
Staffing decisions when reopening workplaces - flowchart
25 February 2022We have updated our flowchart to help employers decide which employees should attend their workplace.
-
Adjusted right to work checks extended to 30 September 2022
24 February 2022The Home Office announced the extension on 23 February 2022 via the GOV.UK website.
-
Lewis Silkin has advised Havas Group on its acquisition of leading UK digital experience agency, Inviqa
24 February 2022Lewis Silkin has advised longstanding client, Havas Group, on its acquisition of Inviqa – one of the UK’s leading independent digital experience agencies – in a substantial, eight-figure deal.
-
Act now or pay later? FCA publishes important guidance on ensuring fair terms in unregulated Buy Now Pay Later credit agreements
24 February 2022In relation to unregulated “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) credit agreements, the government has consulted and intends to bring these products within the scope of regulation
-
Lewis Silkin features in the Belfast Telegraph
23 February 2022‘Belfast’s reputation on the global stage as a hotbed for talent and opportunity is growing by the day. This prominence as a source of skill makes the city a natural fit for Lewis Silkin, a leading law firm that has two things at its core: people – both its clients and its own team – and a focus on creativity, technology and innovation’
-
Siobhra Rush has commented in the Independent.ie on the results of Ryanair’s latest gender pay gap report
23 February 2022The report, submitted during the pandemic, shows the gap in average hourly pay between men and women is 67.8pc despite an increase in female pilots. Siobhra has said the legislation is still valuable, promotes transparency, and “requires employers to reflect on why they have a pay gap and diversity issues”…
-
Living with Covid: what this means for the workplace
23 February 2022The government has announced the end of mandatory self-isolation and free testing in England as part of its new Living with Covid strategy. This insight looks at the implications for employers.
-
Agency workers and the right to be informed of vacancies
22 February 2022Agency workers must be informed of relevant vacancies with the hiring business but have no right to be considered for those vacancies on the same terms as the hirer’s direct recruits, according to a new Court of Appeal ruling.
-
Nick Allan comments for Gamesindustry.biz: Clone culture and its continuous impact on indie developers
21 February 2022Discussions around clones crop up on a regular basis, usually around the release of widely successful games that are being copied. In recent weeks, the conversation mainly revolved around hit puzzle game Wordle, which has seen a high number of clones emerge following its viral success, as well as numerous games inspired by its simple word-guessing mechanic.
-
ESG in the balance: Will crypto be a vehicle for advancement or will it undermine positive change? Part 3
18 February 2022G is for Governance: Can the crypto governance conundrum be resolved to realise its potential social and environmental benefits?