Employment Law

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60 second guide 17/05/2012

... to preparing recruitment advertisements

Employment Law SOS: annualised hours 17/05/2012

At our 200-man site, we're considering introducing annualised hours later this year. What do we need to do in terms of presenting this idea to the workforce?

Employment Law SOS: sabbatical 17/05/2012

One of our production managers has requested a six-month sabbatical. We are inclined to agree but it will impact on his colleagues. What do we need to consider before we formally respond?

Employment law SOS: maternity/paternity leave 20/04/2012

One of my production line supervisors is soon to be a dad and has told me he wants to share his wife's maternity/paternity leave. How do I find out what he's entitled to?

60 second guide 17/04/2012

... to handling a grievance from an employee

Employment law SOS: holiday entitlement 17/04/2012

An employee has been on sick leave for three months. He still had half his holiday entitlement left for 2011/12 and asked if he can use the two weeks to boost his pay. We don't allow unused holiday to be carried over, but can he do this?

Employment law SOS: drink-driving design engineer 25/03/2012

An otherwise excellent design engineer was recently charged with drink driving and has just been banned for six months. His role includes some car travel, visiting customer sites. What do you advise we do?

Employment law SOS: absence 23/03/2012

We are rolling out a training programme to boost flexibility on the shopfloor. Most are enthusiastic but one team leader has called in sick on every day training was scheduled for him. What can we do if we suspect he's swinging the lead?

60 second guide ... to providing references for ex-employees 13/03/2012

References can be provided either in a personal capacity or on behalf of the company. The employer is legally responsible for references given on behalf of the company, so you should have a policy that sets out clearly which employees are able to give references, in what format and with what content.

Employment law SOS: interview techniques 28/02/2012

We're recruiting an engineer and I want to protect myself from any discrimination claims as I've read that some applicants deliberately 'fish' for discriminatory comments during interviews. How do I keep within the law?

Employment law SOS: performance reviews 28/02/2012

One of my employees is failing to hit their performance objectives on a regular basis. They have been put on review, but things are not getting any better. Where do I stand in terms of dismissal?

60 second guide 14/02/2012

...to attending an employment tribunal

Strike a balance 17/01/2012

Employers would be wise to ensure they are familiar with the procedures surrounding industrial action. Which individuals can and can't take part in a strike? And when can bosses bring in replacement workers? Sam Hall explains

Gagging order 13/12/2011

Many employees routinely use social media websites, both in company time and out of hours – but how can you stop them posting damaging remarks online? Employers must have a clear policy, as Gemma Taylor explains

Sharp practices 15/11/2011

Pay cuts have, for many, been an unpalatable side-effect of the latest recession. Sara Sawicki looks at a recent case which serves as a timely reminder for employers of the dos and don'ts of cutting costs in this way

Up close and personal 20/10/2011

Manufacturers will need to develop close working relationships with employment agencies if they are to smooth the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations. Beth Unwin offers some practice advice

Who’s left holding the baby? 14/09/2011

New regulations regarding paternity leave mean that fathers and mothers may now share time off after the baby is born. Sara Sawicki explains what this means for employers and points to yet more changes on the horizon

Don’t stumble over safety 16/08/2011

Managers must carefully negotiate several key areas where health and safety legislation overlaps with employment regulations to avoid falling foul of the law, as Jessica Calcott explains

You’ve been framed! 20/07/2011

A recent case involving surveillance of an employee on sick leave serves as a useful reminder that relying on video evidence to decide whether an employee is genuinely sick can be a risky business, as Sara Sawicki explains

Sticking point 14/06/2011

When does banter among employees become harassment? Beth Unwin considers a recent case in which an individual who participated in banter and innuendo claimed that his colleagues' offensive behaviour amounted to harassment

Spot the difference 17/05/2011

When does an agency worker become an employee? Sara Sawicki reports on a recent case and offers some advice for manufacturers on how to avoid similar claims from agency workers

Hard hitting changes 19/04/2011

The government's consultation on reforms to workplace dispute resolution includes a proposal which could result in a double whammy for employers if they breach employment legislation, as Ruth Nodder explains

The long and the short of it 15/03/2011

Persistent short-term absence can prove to be a real headache for many employers. Sara Sawicki explains the key issues surrounding this common workplace problem and offers a suggested procedure to tackle it

Know the score 15/02/2011

If employers decide to use a scoring matrix to select individuals for redundancy, they must ensure the marks can be justified. Vanessa Webster reports on the pitfalls of failing to explain your numbers

The age-old problem 18/01/2011

Abolition of the default retirement age means that, from April, employers will no longer be able to force employees to retire just because they reach 65. Jennifer Makin reports on the implications for employers