Articles by ‘Lauren Harkin’

Wherever your organisation falls in the hybrid / flexible / home working spectrum, it is a truth universally acknowledged by HR professionals that changing working patterns is an issue we all will have to…

Supporting mental health in the workplace is likely to be one of the key challenges facing employers, HR directors and managers over the next 12 months and beyond. The unprecedented impact of lockdowns, remote…

In the case of Sidhu v Exertis, the Employment Tribunal held that Mr Sidhu sustained racial bullying by his colleagues, that was dressed up as “banter”.

After the suspension in 2020, gender pay gap reporting is back. Our employment lawyers look at deadlines and potential issues, and explain why 2021 figures may be significantly skewed.

Employment status and IR35 has hit headlines again. The Government has confirmed that the IR35 tax regulations will be extended in April 2020. Changes to IR35 were made in the public sector in April 2017, and similar changes are now due to be introduced for medium and large businesses in the private sector.

You may think you know the position on termination payments and tax; up until recently it has been relatively simple to calculate. However, the Government has recently embarked on a series of reforms which bring about significant changes to the tax and NICs treatment of termination payments. Ironically, the Government’s aim was to simplify the legislation; however, the new rules remain complex.

A ground-breaking decision from the UK’s top court has been announced today which is forecasted to be the most significant judgment in UK employment law in the last fifty years. The ruling means that the tribunal fees introduced in 2013 are now illegal and importantly, those who have already paid the fees over the last four years, will have to be reimbursed. What are the consequences for employers and individuals? For starters, the Government have estimated at least £27m will have to be repaid to thousands of claimants.

With the European Football Tournament starting tomorrow (10 June 2016), and some matches due to take place during normal working hours, employers are anticipating some disruption to the workplace over the coming weeks. Lauren Harkin shares some tips for managing employee absence and keeping up productivity.

With the Budget announced last week you may be wondering what the employment-related announcements are and how they might affect you as HR professionals. We bring you a summary of the main employment budget points to be mindful of.

Whether as a result of protected conversations, disciplinary or capability processes, grievances or tribunal proceedings, as an employer you may find yourself engaged in ‘negotiations to settle’ with current or former employees. Employees may allege that they have suffered an “injury to feelings” as a result of what they see as unlawful treatment, and settlement monies may be apportioned between financial losses, legal fees, and pre- and post-termination injury to feelings, to take advantage of the tax rules.

Many employers now have a policy which makes it clear that drinking alcohol at work, or being under the influence at work is an act of gross misconduct. The test for a ‘fair’ dismissal is that, following a fair investigation, the employer reasonably believes that misconduct has occurred, and dismissal is a reasonable sanction.

Regular readers of our bulletins will be fully aware of the long-running issue of what to include in holiday pay.