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How can employers support older employees in reskilling and returning to the workplace?
07 December 2023With an ageing population and a resurgence of over-50s returning to the office, employers are increasingly needing to rethink recruitment and retention strategies in response. This article explores ways employers can support older workers in the workplace, without falling foul of age discrimination legislation.
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Virtual Christmas card tree planting initiative
06 December 2023Instead of printing and posting Christmas cards every year, we have chosen to email virtual cards and plant trees.
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UK immigration policies announced to lower net migration
05 December 2023On 4 December 2023 the UK Government announced a ‘five point plan’ to lower net migration, following on from recent high net migration figures. These include raising the general threshold for Skilled Worker visas, abolishing the salary discount for shortage occupation roles and prohibiting care workers from bringing dependants.
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Paul Gillen comments on why workplaces must be neurodivergence-aware for the Belfast Telegraph
Press
05 December 2023While major employers are now actively recruiting people with neurodivergent backgrounds, the number of industrial tribunal cases involving neurodiverse employees has quadrupled in the last four years. Paul Gillen comments for the Belfast Telegraph.
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FCA publishes long-awaited rules and guidance on anti-greenwashing and sustainability
01 December 2023The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published long-awaited guidance on anti-greenwashing and sustainability due to come into effect in 2024.
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The employee voice, social media and the culture wars - where to draw the line?
30 November 2023Employers are walking the tightrope between ensuring an open and inclusive workplace, inviting employees to bring their “whole selves” to work, yet protecting against discrimination, harassment and an outbreak of culture wars. Knowing whether and when to step in can be a challenge, particularly in the age of social media and instant communications.
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Limited partnerships: litigation following dissolution and winding up
30 November 2023A decision has been taken to wind up a limited partnership - that heralds the end for all concerned… or does it? Can a cause of action which accrued pre-dissolution be litigated by the general partner post-dissolution following the apparent winding up of the limited partnership? The High Court (at least on an interim basis) has said, yes.
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How to avoid a right to work check headache when BRPs are phased out
27 November 2023The Home Office intends to phase out biometric residence permits and other physical immigration documents from 1 January 2025. Although details of the process are still awaited, employers should take the opportunity now to review the volume of repeat right to work checks are due on 31 December 2024 and aim to minimise bottlenecks with processing these.
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Lewis Silkin strengthens Dispute Resolution practice with addition of partner Fraser Mitchell
Press Release
27 November 2023Lewis Silkin has today announced the appointment of Fraser Mitchell as a partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution group.
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VSP update – A trio of recent developments for Video Sharing Platforms (and a glimpse ahead to what enforcement under the Online Safety regime might look like)
27 November 2023The Online Safety Act 2023 recently received Royal Assent and Ofcom has begun the process of consulting on various codes of practice. Most, if not all, Video Sharing Platforms (VSPs) will be caught by the Act, However, in the meantime, VSPs still need to comply with the existing Video Sharing Platform rules, and recent activity from the regulators indicates that they are keen to remind VSPs that they can’t sit on their laurels until the Online Safety regime kicks in. Regulatory activity can also be taken as an indication of how enforcement action may be approached under the Online Safety regime, as there are many parallels in the regulations.
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What the appointment of a previous incumbent as housing minister means for planning: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource
Press
24 November 2023The reappointment of a former Westminster City Council planning committee member as housing minister should herald broad continuity with the approach of his predecessor, say observers. But Lee Rowley will have his work cut out overseeing secondary legislation to implement the measures in the recently passed Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.
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Who’s Who? - ‘Principal Accountable Person’ under Section 73 of the Building Safety Act 2022
24 November 2023Lewis Silkin recently advised on a dispute between an intermediate landlord (IL) and their management company (MC) over who the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) was under Section 73 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). By no means an easy task…
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IR35: offset mechanism to be introduced for the off-payroll working rules
23 November 2023The Autumn Statement 2023 contained an announcement that a new offset mechanism will be introduced for the off-payroll working rules, which will help end users and fee payers where HMRC has disagreed with a status determination.
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Sara Hanrahan featured in PCD Club’s November issue
Press
22 November 2023Sara Hanrahan interviewed for PCD Club’s ‘Meet Our Members’ feature. In the 35th edition of PCD Club’s digital magazine, Sara discusses her passion for sustainability, helping junior lawyers excel in their careers and her greatest achievements to date.
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No mention in the King’s speech: a non-starter for non-compete limits?
22 November 2023The government’s planned reform to non-competes was conspicuous by its absence in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023. There is now much greater uncertainty as to whether any legislation limiting non-compete restrictions to a period of three months will make it to the statute books.
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Deliveroo riders not entitled to collective bargaining, Supreme court rules – Colin Leckey comments for Reuter
Press
22 November 2023The Supreme Court finds that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law. Colin Leckey commented that the decision provided certainty for platform economy companies with highly flexible operating models in which individuals have genuine freedom about whether and when to work.
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Supreme Court throws out Deliveroo rider status challenge
21 November 2023The Supreme Court, upholding earlier decisions by the Central Arbitration Committee, High Court and Court of Appeal, finds that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law.
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Lewis Silkin successful in Deliveroo Supreme Court rider status challenge
Press Release
21 November 2023By a unanimous 5-0 verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law, and cannot proceed with an application for recognition of their trade union.
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UK to pare back new takeover screening powers - Wendy Saunders comments for the Financial Times.
Press
20 November 2023The deputy prime minister has said the UK's investment screening powers are to be pared back to make them more "business friendly", less than two years after they have been introduced. Wendy Saunders comments on how the refinement of the scope of the NS&I regime will boost confidence in the UK as an investable jurisdiction.
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The role of immigration law in advancing DE&I initiatives in global mobility
17 November 2023Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives are no longer just buzzwords but are becoming essential elements of success for companies in all industries. Companies are recognising the value of diverse talent and the need to promote equitable opportunities in their global operations. Immigration law is a cornerstone of the legal framework and can play a pivotal role in shaping the demographic composition of a company.