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New Family Friendly Legislation

Three Acts (stemming from Private Members’ Bills) received Royal Assent on May 26th. Although they are now law the regulations explaining how to operate them have yet to be published therefore this bulletin is at this stage for information only. The Neonatal Care...

How to dismiss staff fairly and avoid stress

Five Fair Reasons for Dismissal To dismiss an employee fairly the business has to show that the dismissal falls into one of the five categories detailed below and to have followed a due process. Employees cannot bring a claim for unfair dismissal if they have less...

Changes to Statutory Rates 2023/4

National Minimum Wage, SSP, SMP etc. rates 2023/2024 The Department for Work and Pensions has published its annual rate increases for 2023/2024. The rate for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and parental bereavement pay will increase to...

Happy Holidays

Thank you for your support and interest in our activities in 2022.We hope you  your partners and families have an enjoyable holiday season and return refreshed to face the challenges of 2023 Instead sending out cards or gifts this year, we at NewmanHR will be making a...

Proposed Changes to Flexible Working Rules

The government has published its response to last year's consultation on updating flexible working laws.  Here is a summary of its response: the right to request flexible working will become a Day One right (it is currenty only available to employees with 26 weeks'...

The Kings Coronation

The government has declared Monday 8 May. as an additional bank holiday to commemorate the King’s Coronation. This is the same process as the recent Jubilee and Queen’s funeral extra bank holidays. Does the employer have to give staff a paid day off? Well it all...

Queen’s funeral holiday

Following the sad death of our queen, the government has decided to declare the day of her funeral as a bank holiday. This is the same process as the recent extra Jubilee bank holiday. Does the employer have to give staff a paid day off? Well it all depends on the...

How not to fall foul of the Home Office

All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. It is mandatory that  employers must check prospective employee’s status to ensure they have the right to work in the UK before they start work. This obligation can be discharged by carrying out...

Too Hot to Work?

I have not written this article but it sums up better than I employer’s responsibilities in the hot weather With temperatures set to soar well over 30°C in parts of the UK this week and beyond, whether employees work from home, in an office or another workplace,...

Important Changes to Fit Note signatories

Most people are aware that it is mandatory to provide employers with a fit note after 7 days sickness absence. These notes normally state whether an employee is fit or more often to return or occasionally may return to work under modified conditions. These are notes...

The Danger of Banter

Most people are aware that employees need 2 completed years of service to bring an unfair dismissal claim at a tribunal. Less well known is that you need no service to bring a discrimination or whistleblowing claim. Discrimination claims are brought as employees...

How to make hybrid working safe and efficient

Now that covid restrictions have effectively ended companies with staff who have been working from home need to review the working relationships they have with their staff. What was acceptable as emergency adhoc arrangements during lockdown now needs to be clarified...

The end of Covid?

The prime minister made a series of announcements on February 21st concerning the way the country continues  deal with covid What is changing? The main changes announced  include the following – From 24 February 2022 – Removal of mandatory self-isolation for positive...