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National disability strategy launched
05 August 2021The government has published its promised national disability strategy setting out various steps it will take to remove barriers faced by disabled people in their lives. This article looks at the main work-related measures.
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Policy clarifications and outstanding issues for right to work checks
03 August 2021The current Home Office guidance for employers on carrying out right to work checks contains some important clarifications of the Home Office’s policy. These will not affect the vast majority of checks. They will however be relevant in certain circumstances, especially for checks relating to EEA nationals and family members of EEA nationals from 1 July 2021. Employers should also now prepare to return to fully compliant right to work checks from 1 September 2021.
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Current COVID-19 considerations for travelling to and from England
03 August 2021Significant changes to the COVID-19 requirements for entry to England were made with effect from 19 July 2021.
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New duties to prevent sexual harassment – but not yet
29 July 2021The government has committed to introducing a new proactive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, alongside considering new laws which would make employers liable if third parties harass their employees and possibly extending the time limit in which to bring discrimination claims. It is likely to be some time, however, before any changes are put into effect.
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Employer loses discrimination claim after trying to reduce gender pay gap
28 July 2021An Employment Tribunal decision involving an ad agency has highlighted the dangers for employers of taking an overly aggressive approach to reducing gender pay gaps. It also provides a reminder that all discrimination is unlawful, even where the victims are from a historically privileged group.
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Innocent partners may not be liable for losses caused by the fraudulent conduct of rogue partners
28 July 2021In July 2021 the Court of Appeal held that innocent partners in a firm of solicitors are not always liable to former clients of the firm for losses caused by the acts of a fraudulent partner[i].
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Ads & Brands Law Digest: July 2021
27 July 2021Welcome to the July 2021 issue of our monthly Ads & Brands Law Digest.
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The right to disconnect – should employers act now?
27 July 2021As the holiday season gets underway, most of us feel the need for a break. But should people have the right to disconnect? In the final of our three-part series of articles exploring topical holiday issues, we explore the mounting pressure on government and employers to require us to switch off.
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Key immigration action points for HR in the second half of 2021
26 July 2021The post-Brexit grace period came to an end on 1 July 2021. Free movement has been replaced in the UK by the domestic immigration system, including the new Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS).
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Coronavirus – our sixth employer survey
22 July 2021We have resumed our Covid benchmarking series to find out how employers are responding to the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
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Getting ready for office reopening - Employment law considerations infographic
20 July 2021Employers have various issues to consider now that full reopening is permitted from 19 July 2021. Our updated infographic highlights the key issues on re-opening offices with links to supporting guidance.
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New apprenticeship funding rules – what’s changing?
15 July 2021Employers will need to comply with new funding rules for apprenticeships starting from the beginning of August if they want to qualify for funding. We explain the main changes.
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End of lockdown restrictions – what does the new workplace safety guidance say?
15 July 2021The 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.
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Right to work checks from 1 July 2021
14 July 2021Procedures for right to work checks have now changed due to the Brexit post-transition grace period ending on 30 June 2021.
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Commercial rent — COVID-19 - tenants’ defences fail at first hurdle
09 July 2021Commercial tenants and landlords alike have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of two landmark cases (Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft mbH v TFS Stores Limited and Bank of New York Mellon (International) Ltd & Others v Cine-UK Ltd & Others) where a number of tenants challenged their liability to pay the rent and other sums under their respective leases based on arguments related to the effects of Covid-19.
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The new Graduate route - considerations for employers and students
08 July 2021The new Graduate route went live on 1 July 2021, opening up a flexible unsponsored route for eligible international students to stay in the UK after graduation. It has some advantages and drawbacks which employers and students should be aware of before deciding whether it is the preferred immigration option in all the circumstances.
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End of lockdown restrictions – what should employers be thinking about?
08 July 2021The 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.
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The menopause: legal and practical issues for Irish employers
06 July 2021In Ireland, nearly 600,000 women are affected by the perimenopause or menopause at any one time. Many in the workforce are therefore affected, so employers need to be aware of the issues and how best to provide support.
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New judgment restricts employers’ scope for responding to industrial action
30 June 2021The Employment Appeal Tribunal has interpreted the law on detrimental treatment for trade union activities in a way that limits how employers may respond to their staff taking industrial action.
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Court of Appeal rejects challenge to Deliveroo riders’ self-employed status
24 June 2021The Court of Appeal has unanimously and emphatically rejected an appeal, based on novel human rights arguments, that Deliveroo riders were “workers” for the purposes of the UK’s trade union recognition legislation.