Big changes are afoot with respect to GP fitness for work certificates in an attempt to reduce pressure on GPs and simplify the process of reporting sickness absences and obtaining fit notes. Since Wednesday of this week (6 April 2022), it is no longer a…
A new “road map” published yesterday is embracing the ongoing use of video hearings within the Employment Tribunal. It indicates that preliminary hearings will continue to take place remotely via video (as well as telephone for routine case management ones). Similarly, simple final hearings dealing…
The bands of awards for injury to feelings, known as the Vento bands, will be increasing by 8% for claims presented on or after 6 April 2022 to the following: Lower band: £990 to £9,900 (less serious cases) Middle band: £9,900 to £29,600 (cases that…
Long covid is now classed as a disability according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). As such, in the absence of clear legislation, employers should treat employees with long covid as having a disability. However, long covid will not necessarily trigger protection under…
“In some ways being a self-confessed lesbian has ruined my political career”. Maureen Colquhoun, Labour MP for Northampton North 1974-1979 (The Knitting Circle 2001) During her lifetime, Maureen Colquhoun bravely confronted societal constraints and society’s attitude towards homosexuality. Maureen became the first openly gay MP…
From 6 April 2022, there will be an increase in compensation limits for dismissals occurring on or after this date. The limit on a week’s pay (statutory redundancy pay/an unfair dismissal basic award) will increase from £544 to £571 and the limit on the maximum…
The government has announced this week that the statutory sick pay (SSP) rebate scheme will end on 24 March 2022 as part of its “Living with covid plan”. The scheme was reintroduced to assist small businesses and their employees to cover sickness absences arising due…
In today’s society, Alan Turing is remembered for his crucial efforts in the fight against Nazi Germany throughout WW2. Turing was a brilliant mathematician who is notoriously celebrated for breaking the Enigma code after years of hard work and dedication at Bletchley Park. WW2 British…
The government has announced that it intends to introduce legislation requiring all employers to pass the full extent of tips received to their workers without any deductions in a fair and transparent manner. They already have to pass cash tips to them but not ones…
An Employment Tribunal has found a care home worker to have been fairly dismissed when she refused to get the covid vaccine. The Tribunal accepted that her “Rastafarian beliefs” were genuine but the requirement for her to be vaccinated was a reasonable management instruction of…