On 17 October 2015, the Independent reported that the government intends to proceed with its introduction of a British Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act 1998. A 12-week consultation is expected to start in November or December 2015 with a view to...
The government has published the draft Exclusivity Terms in Zero Hours Contracts (Redress) Regulations 2015 which are intended to prevent employers including contractual provisions (known as exclusivity clauses) which prevent, or purport to prevent, individuals doing work under any other contract or arrangement. The regulations provide: -...
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills has published guidance on zero hours contracts aimed at employers. The guidance provides further information on zero hours contracts and how they should be used. It includes information on employment rights, appropriate use, inappropriate use, alternatives, best practice...
The latest estimate of the number of people who are employed on zero-hours contracts in their main employment is 744,000 for April to June 2015, representing 2.4% of people in employment. This is higher than for the same period in 2014, in which 624,000 people...
BIS has launched a call for evidence to look at how restaurants treat tips left by customers and whether government intervention is necessary to strengthen the voluntary code of practice overseen by industry body, the British Hospitality Association. Recent investigations have revealed that it remains...
Acas has published two new guides to help employers recruit and settle in staff. The recruitment guide includes what essential documents are needed when recruiting, how to advertise a position and considerations when choosing the right candidate. The induction guide includes induction checklists and gives...
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Unison's appeals against its judicial review applications challenging the legality of tribunal fees. Whilst the judicial review application has failed in the Court of Appeal, the leading Judge did appear to support the proposed Government review of the level...
A study of over 900 GPs, patients and employers which was commissioned by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and conducted by Nottingham University has found that fit notes are not being used to their full potential to manage sick leave. The study identified barriers...
In Stevens v University of Birmingham [2015], the High Court decided that an employer's refusal to allow the employee's choice of companion to attend a disciplinary investigation meeting concerning serious allegations of misconduct, was a breach of mutual trust and confidence. Although the express terms of...
In The British Waterways Board v Smith [2015], the EAT has held that it was fair to dismiss an employee that made derogatory comments about his employer on Facebook notwithstanding the fact that the misconduct had taken place two years before dismissal or that the...