Insights & News
Search for Insights & News
-
Wind-down of furlough scheme - timeline and key questions for employers
01 June 2020The furlough scheme will end on 31 October, with a new flexible furlough option available from 1 July. Our timeline shows the key dates and decisions employers will need to make along the way.
-
Government’s immigration stance on frontline workers proves controversial
01 June 2020On 1 May the Home Office published an expanded list of COVID-19 frontline workers’ occupations entitling them and their family members to a free and automatic one-year extension of leave. However, the measures announced to-date just serve to highlight that considerably more needs to be done
-
Chancellor announces arrangements for end of furlough scheme
29 May 2020The Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will close at the end of October, with a new flexible furloughing option from 1 July. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak opted for a “softly softly” approach as he announced the details of the phase out of the furlough scheme – but one which still leaves open the possibility of an end-of-October “cliff edge”.
-
Lewis Silkin advises as CVC completes investment into Guinness PRO14
Deal
29 May 2020Lewis Silkin has advised Guinness PRO14 CEO, Martin Anayi, on the management team’s equity acquisition as part of the strategic partnership investment from CVC Capital Partners.
-
The Future Fund: can it be both a success and a failure?
29 May 2020The UK Government opened its Future Fund for applications on 20 May. It is widely reported that on the first day applications for its matched funding exceeded £500m. These applications are to be processed and, if successful, funds are to be released within 21 days. This all sounds impressive, but there are siren voices. Why is that?
-
'Ireland: how we are adapting to Covid-19' Siobhra Rush discusses how we are adjusting to the new working conditions with Future of Work on Newstalk
Press
29 May 2020Siobhra Rush discusses how we are adjusting to the new working conditions at 19.30 minutes.
-
Staffing decisions when reopening workplaces in Ireland - a flowchart
29 May 2020We have produced a useful flowchart which will help employers to decide which employees can return to work as part of the Covid-19 road to recovery.
-
Will the EU’s SPC manufacturing waiver weaken European pharma’s IP? Paul Williams writes for Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review
Press
29 May 2020Despite dire warnings by the US Chamber of Commerce, the impact of the EU’s SPC waiver won’t be known for years, writes Paul Williams.
-
Test, trace and travel – new self-isolation rules and employment
28 May 2020The requirement to self-isolate for 14 days in order to limit the spread of Covid-19 is being extended to two new situations – where a person arrives in the UK from overseas, and where someone is notified that they need to self-isolate under the new NHS test and trace service. How does this affect employers?
-
Employee share schemes in Hong Kong - an overview
Inbrief
27 May 2020Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, no vix iriure labitur, cum ea affert eligendi deterruisset, ea sed movet postulant liberavisse. Sea ex amet duis vulputate, ei voluptua disputando repudiandae eos. Iudico nullam nam cu. Hinc debitis his ut.
-
Immigration bill barring EU nationals accused of hypocrisy: Naomi Hanrahan-Soar comments for HR Magazine
Press
22 May 2020In this article for HR Magazine, Naomi Hanrahan-Soar comments on how the government’s immigration bill can be seen as hypocritical for its proposal to end ‘unskilled’ immigration in December, ignoring the fact that many low-earning key workers are EU nationals.
-
European Commission supports voluntary travel vouchers but what are the implications for the UK travel business?
22 May 2020The European Commission has issued a “Recommendation”, announcing that it wants to encourage consumers to accept vouchers in place of cash refunds for cancelled holidays.
-
Automation, AI and emerging technologies: Government’s response to BEIS on future of work
22 May 2020In the wake of the current pandemic, we’ve all experienced how technology can transform our working lives. Whether its video-calling your colleagues, taking part in virtual coffee breaks, or attending events and seminars online.
-
Applying for Hong Kong’s Employment Support Scheme on 25 May? Are you liable for any penalties?
22 May 2020Hong Kong’s long-awaited Employment Support Scheme will be open for application starting Monday, 25 May 2020.
-
Industrial action - summary judgment refused despite union’s ‘improbable’ defence
21 May 2020The High Court has considered a case which the employer, Royal Mail, alleged was a “classic case of unballoted strike action done at the instigation and with support of local officials”. The court refused an application for summary judgment, despite finding the trade union’s defence to be “improbable”.
-
Does an employer’s duty of care extend to commuting to work?
21 May 2020As 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?
-
Worried that furloughing or redundancy could affect your visa? Here’s what you need to know: Joanna Hunt writes for Free Movement
Press
21 May 2020With the UK still reeling from COVID-19, a mega recession looms. The statistics are sobering; 8 million workers on the government furlough scheme, 2.6 million claims for Universal Credit since the lockdown began and the economy already suffering its biggest contraction since the financial crash in 2008. The economic outlook is ominous and workers fear that a significant rise in unemployment is on the cards.
-
Statement of Changes introduces significant new hurdles for Sole Representative visa applicants
20 May 2020A general tightening of the requirements and restrictions of the sole representative category will be brought into effect from 6 June 2020.
-
MAC launches six-week call for evidence on shortage occupations
18 May 2020Employers have until 24 June 2020 to provide their views on what occupations should be on the shortage occupation lists for UK sponsored skilled migration from 1 January 2021.
-
Technology and computing in 2020 and beyond – are you ready to live life on the edge?
15 May 2020Right now, for those in lockdown at home, the answer for many will no doubt be a resounding ‘oh, yes!’ but is the answer the same from a particular technology perspective?