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Flexible working - the right to ask

13 January 2017

Employees seeking a better balance between the demands of work and personal life may seek a change in their working arrangements – for example by part-time working, job-sharing or a change in working hours. 

Ignorance isn't bliss... especially with illegal working

16 March 2017

If you’re considering restructuring the service company which employs most of your staff, and that company holds your sponsorship licence, you may need to apply for a new sponsor licence and transfer your sponsored migrants accordingly.

Illegal working penalties released; name, shame and make them pay

25 September 2017

The ONS has released the illegal working civil penalties data for the first quarter of 2017. The revenue raised was £5,900,000, prior to any adjustment following objections to the penalties. Given the population difference, it is not surprising that London and the South East had the highest number of penalties applied and illegal workers found but there were still large numbers issues in the Midlands and North West as well.

Preventing illegal working: employers able to rely on online right to work checks from 28 January 2019

14 December 2018

In some circumstances employers will be able to use the Home Office Right to Work Checking Service available on GOV.UK from 28 January 2019 to obtain a statutory excuse against payment of a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, without having also to check the individual’s physical documents.

‘ETO’ reasons must entail changes in workforce

06 February 2017

A recent decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) serves as a useful reminder of how employers can fairly dismiss employees for an economic, technical or organisational (“ETO”) reason following a TUPE transfer.

Older workers as a solution to talent shortage: Hong Kong Labour Department launches Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme to “unleash potential” of elderly and middle-aged workforce

14 August 2024

On 15 July, the Labour Department launched a three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (“REA Scheme”) to incentivise ‘elderly and middle-aged’ people to rejoin the workforce.

A teaser from Theresa - workers on company boards

25 July 2016

One of the early surprises of Theresa May’s premiership was her extraordinary pledge that employees should be represented on company boards.

New PAYE and NIC rules for ‘off-payroll’ workers in public sector confirmed

29 November 2016

In May 2016, the Government published a consultation paper outlining proposals to amend the IR35 legislation for workers who provide services, via a personal services company (“PSC”), to a public sector engager, whether directly or through a third party (such as an employment agency or outsourcing firm).

Clarification on tax changes for the public sector ‘off-payroll’ workers

22 February 2017

HM Revenue & Customs has issued guidance on forthcoming changes to the IR35 rules where workers provide their services to a public authority through a personal services company (“PSC”), i.e. a company owned and controlled by the worker.

Science and technology committee calls for free movement of skilled workers

31 July 2018

To some of us, science has an ethereal power. It creates and changes the rules rather than simply being bound by then. So it comes as no surprise that the science and technology committee has suggested free movement of scientists (and all skilled workers) to the UK. Albeit for only 180 days.

The new EU Posting of Workers Directive – implications for employers

01 November 2018

New EU legislation adopted earlier this year aims to establish a balanced framework with regard to the protection of workers posted from one EU country to another and the freedom to provide services. What might be the impact on employers in the UK, and how could this be affected by Brexit?

Tipping the Scales: How the Latest Labour Tribunal Ruling Impacts Gig Workers

13 July 2023

The burgeoning gig economy has long presented a conundrum in employment law, with its unique model of work raising significant questions about employment status, workers’ right and entitlements.

Second cycle courier found to be a ‘worker’

28 March 2017

Another day, another case on the gig economy… An Employment Tribunal has found that a cycle courier was a “worker”, rather than an independent contractor, and therefore entitled to statutory holiday pay.

Uber’s worker status appeal rejected

05 September 2017

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) has upheld the decision of an Employment Tribunal (“ET”) that drivers engaged by Uber are “workers” rather than independent contractors.

Extending ‘off-payroll’ worker reforms to the private sector

23 November 2017

The Chancellor announced in the autumn Budget that there will be a consultation in 2018 to tackle non-compliance with IR35 rules in the private sector.

When is a ban on headscarves at work discriminatory?

16 March 2017

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has given its first ruling on the right to wear an Islamic headscarf at work, in two separate cases which both involved the dismissal of a Muslim employee for refusing to remove her headscarf in breach of the employer’s dress code.

Vietnam - New mandatory work permit system from 1 July onwards

22 June 2017

The Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has been transitioning to a new online work permits application system since April which was piloted in Dong Nai and Vung Tau City.

Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will not require work permits when they are hired by enterprises on the Chinese mainland potentially as soon as September 2018

10 August 2018

On 3 August the State Council in China made an announcement to the effect that residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will not be obliged to apply for work permits in order to be employed by enterprises on the Chinese mainland, under a new proposal set to operate from September 2018.