HR Articles

On 17 March, the Government wrote to those who are categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable to advise them that from 1 April 2021 they no longer needed shield. 

Employees working from home regularly may be able to benefit from certain tax exemptions, although this cannot be where they are working informally, HMRC guidance has confirmed that if an employee is working from home due to COVID-19, the definition of a homeworking arrangement for tax purposes, will be met for this period.  

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChoosetoChallenge. This  is a call not just to women, but to people of any gender to challenge the barriers to gender equality in society, wherever they exist, and to use any privilege or influence they may have to further the cause of gender equality.  

The employment tribunal in Kubilius v Kent Food Ltd ET 3201960/2020 has given judgment on whether dismissing an employee on the grounds of gross misconduct, for not wearing a face mask, was fair. 

The Government has confirmed that the furlough scheme will be extended for a further 5 months and will now end on 30 September 2021.

HMRC have lost their appeal against a ruling which found that the journalist and broadcaster, Kay Adams, was not in a ‘disguised’ employment relationship with the BBC when she was providing her services via her personal service company.   

As expected, the Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the decisions of the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal  and  Court of Appeal that the Uber drivers in this case were workers and not self-employed contractors.  

Mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting could become the norm, as calls for its introduction intensify.  

On 15 February 2021 HMRC published its policy paper explaining how it intends to help and support organisations which must comply with changes to the off-payroll working rules (IR35).

The IR35 private sector reforms are due to come in on 6 April 2021. If after a status determination statement (SDS), the contractor is found to be employed for tax purposes, then they will have to pay tax and national insurance contributions (NICS) as if they were an ordinary employee.