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Welcome to HR Today, the monthly newsletter from IntellectHR keeping you up-to-date with employment law changes and free HR services that our members are entitled to.
In this issue, find out about working in hot conditions, the rules surrounding the new 'Fit Note' and how to manage staff after redundancies.
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Managing redundancy survivor syndrome |
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We are now almost half way through a very difficult year. The British Chamber of Commerce's 2009 Q1 summary of employment shows manufacturing employment balance dropping to 36 per cent (the lowest since records began), and the service sector's employment balance being 18 per cent. IntellectHR continues to provide assistance on redundancies, but, hopefully looking forward in a positive vein, this month's hot topic advises how best to manage the remaining workforce after a redundancy programme.
Read the full story»
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Increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) |
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After an announced delay, much canvassing from the CIPD, employer bodies and unions, and much speculation in the press as to whether the government would increase the National Minimum Wage this October, there has been a decision. Given the credit crunch and the number of businesses currently struggling, the new (slightly increased) rates have been announced - click the link for full details.
Read the full story» |
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Non-payment of tribunal payment awards |
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Research by the Ministry of Justice has found that many employers are not paying tribunal awards. Of those they polled:
- 26 per cent of 93 claimants awarded less than £500 did not get any payment
- 40 per cent of 497 claimants awarded between £500 and £4,999 did not receive any payment
- 44 per cent of 377 claimants awarded more than £5,000 did not receive any payment
- overall, 39 per cent of those polled who had been granted awards had not been paid, while 53 per cent had been paid in full.
36 per cent of those not paid had tried to enforce the award through a county court, while 40 per cent of unpaid claimants did not know they could do this. High Court Enforcement Officers will now be given powers to recover awards granted by employment tribunals or in out-of-court settlements.
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Foreign workers - shortage occupation list
The Migration Advisory Committee has published its first review of the shortage occupation list for skilled workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area.
As may be expected in the current economic climate, it has recommended that certain jobs be removed from the list and the definition of others be narrowed. 270,000 fewer posts will be on its list of occupational shortages.
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European Works Councils - new rules
For large organisations (with at least 1,000 employees within the European Economic Area and at least 150 employees in each of two or more member states), there are requirements to consult if a formal request is made by at least 100 employees in two or more countries. These organisations must have in place a European Works Council (EWC), to provide 'transnational information and consultation' for their entire workforce. Members can log in for more information.
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Agency workers - consultation has begun
The government has now published its consultation paper, 'Implementation of the agency workers directive', which gives more idea as to how the Agency Workers Directive is likely to be implemented in the UK and the extent to which permissible deviations, such as a period of qualifying service, may be applied here. The Directive has to be implemented by 05 December 2011.
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Some interesting cases
- Dismissal: redundancy and length of service as a selection criterion
- Dismissal: it's best not to lie to a tribunal!
- Discrimination: is climate change a 'philosophical belief'?
- Pay: tips and the minimum wage Read the full story» | | |
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Absence - new doctor's certificates |
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The Department for Work and Pensions has announced details of its new 'Fit Note' which it intends will replace the doctor's certificate (MED3) with effect from April 2010.
The aim is to reduce sickness absence (which is estimated to cost the country around £13 billion a year), and encourage and assist employees with health conditions to stay in, or return to work earlier. Therefore rather than just having a choice of 'fit/unfit' to work, the new note (which may also be printed off from the computer, rather than handwritten) will allow the GP to indicate that an employee "may be fit for some work now" and include suggestions as to how the employee can be eased back into work.
Read the full story» |
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Working in hot conditions |
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Apparently the Met Office has predicted a generally warm summer.
Interestingly, whilst there are rules on working in cold temperatures (those below 16 degrees celsius or 13 degrees if the work is physically demanding), there are no similar restrictions for when the workplace becomes too hot.
Read the full story» |
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Some more statistics |
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- The Retail prices Index (RPI) fell to -1.2 per cent in April, the lowest since records began in June 1948. That is a fall of 1.2 per cent on the year, compared with -0.4 per cent in March.
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 2.3 per cent from 2.9 per cent in March. That was the lowest since January 2008 and below analysts' expectations of 2.4 per cent.
- Average earnings including bonuses fell by 0.4 per cent over the period, as did job vacancies, which dropped by 51,000 to 455,000. Finance and business services took the biggest hit, down by 17,000 jobs, but all sectors showed a decline.
Read the full story» |
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