Insights & News

Michael Burd is quoted in The Law Society Gazette: Exit Wounds

Michael Burd is quoted in the write up of the latest Gazette roundtable held last week.

Brexit, #metoo and equal pay: the hidden links

An inspirational woman ahead of her time

On International Women’s Day, it seems appropriate to reflect on an extraordinary woman who has led an extraordinary life - Dame Stephanie Shirley.

‘Right-sourcing’ – a crucial competency for in-house lawyers

Good resource management is an essential skill for in-house employment lawyers. To manage my workload effectively and make efficient use of the company’s resources, I am constantly required to assess whether work is best carried out in house or outsourced.

Remix to Transition

This week the government released a new proposal on EU citizens arriving in the UK during the Brexit 'transition period', which is set to run for about two years after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.

Ask About… Retail, Fashion and Hospitality

Many of our clients in the retail, fashion and hospitality sector face similar HR issues. Each month one of the members of our team will identify an issue, ask how you would deal with it and provide our advice. This month we asked Tom...

The road to nowhere: Brexit and labour shortages

In an opinion piece in the Guardian by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General Adam Marshall warns of an imminent recruitment crisis.

Calling time on workplace sexual harassment?

A full inquiry into workplace sexual harassment has been announced by the Women and Equalities Committee. The aim of this Government inquiry is to uncover the true scale of the problem and consider what action employers and the Government can take to address it.

‘Living in the dark ages’ - pregnancy and maternity discrimination at interview

Fresh out of my first year at university and applying for a summer job at a pub, I was slightly taken aback when the interviewer asked whether I had children, in a tone that implied “no” was the right answer… Back then, with no children, I simply answered the question - but it made me wonder.

Update on the new tax rules for payments in lieu of notice

New tax rules will mean that income tax and national insurance contributions (“NICs”) must be paid on all payments in lieu of notice (“PILONs”) with effect from 6 April 2018.

When to pay interns?

Media outlets have reported that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has initiated a crackdown on unpaid internships, including sending letters warning that “workers” must be paid the national minimum wage and setting up teams to tackle the problem.

The Government’s response to the Taylor review – a damp squib?

The Government has published its Good Work Plan in response to Matthew Taylor’s review of modern working practices. While the response sets out the Government’s intention to take forward nearly all of the review’s recommendations, there are very few specific proposals and much of the detail will be the subject of further consultation.

Making a termination payment after 5 April 2018? Read this!

Income tax and national insurance contributions (“NICs”) must be paid on all payments in lieu of notice (“PILONs”) with effect from 6 April 2018.

Creating a lasting change - an open letter

2017 was the year women’s workplace issues dominated the public conversation.

China's new "R Visa" for high-level talent

Effective from January 2018, the new “R visa” now allows successful applicants multiple stays in China of up to 180 days per visit, with a validity of up to 10 years.