The start of December brings the beginning of work Christmas party season. For employers, Christmas parties provide an opportunity to strengthen teams and thank employees. However, work social events can be seen as an extension of the workplace and therefore employers do need to be aware of how doing something seasonal for staff may result in unintended liabilities. This article sets out the circumstances in which an employer can be held liable for the actions of their employees and what they can do to try and mitigate this.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show in October 2021, job vacancies were at 1.17 million. This is almost 400,000 higher than before the pandemic. The research also found that almost half of employers (46%) are finding recruitment difficult and anticipate the situation declining further over the next six months.
The EAT has recently held in Bennett v MiTAC Europe Limited that an employee with cancer will be disabled under the Equality Act 2010 from the date on which they fell ill, and not from the date on which the cancer was diagnosed.
The UK has committed to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and plans to be the first major economy to require corporations to report climate related risk and opportunities, but what impact does climate change have on employment law?
The Office for National Statistics has now released information that the UK’s 2021 gender pay gap has grown since 2020 but remains smaller than it was in 2019.
Returning to work: a requirement to work full time from the office may be discriminatory against those with caring responsibilities.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has upheld a Tribunal judgment that a whistleblower who was dismissed for criticising a colleague was not automatically unfairly dismissed.
Following World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10th October 2021, we are reminded of the importance of mental health. Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to improve their emotional intelligence, develop compassion and demonstrate that they care about their employees.
Following a consultation that took place last year, the Government has announced that they will be introducing an entitlement to one week’s unpaid leave for carers. This is in recognition of approximately five million people in the UK providing unpaid support to an elderly or disabled relative or friend, whilst juggling other responsibilities including paid employment.
Last week, the government published a consultation document, “Making flexible working the new default” which includes its proposal to allow all employees to request flexible working arrangements from day one of their employment, replacing the current 26 week wait period.
