HR Articles

Restrictive covenants in employment contracts usually try to prevent an employee acting in a certain way after they have left employment. The most common are those preventing the employee from working in a competing business (non-compete) or soliciting clients and/or staff (non-solicitation). 

Employment status and how it is determined has been an issue that has vexed the courts recently, with cases in both the employment and tax tribunals.

An individual’s employment status determines what type of protections and rights they are entitled to, and establishing status involves the consideration of many different factors.

The strike, which is being dubbed the biggest rail strike in modern history, has come about as a result of a breakdown in negotiations on pay and redundancies. What can employers do to cover the tasks of the striking workers and keep the business on track?

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in both the EU and UK versions, employees have the right to request access to their personal data from their employer called a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR).   

There is frequent discussion surrounding the requirements for a spouse or unmarried partner applying as the dependant of a UK visa holder, however what receives less attention are the requirements for a dependent child, which in some cases can fall subject to a higher level of scrutiny from the Home Office.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for regulating and enforcing safety in the workplace. Following the tragic death of Donna Coleman, a teacher who worked at Burnley College, the University and College Union (UCU) raised Covid-19 health and safety concerns with the college and the HSE.

When granted with a Worker sponsor licence to employ migrant workers, an organisation is given access to the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), which is the online platform used to manage the licence and facilitate the sponsorship of migrant workers.

On 10 May 2022, Prince Charles confirmed, as set out in the Queen’s Speech, that there would be a new data protection regime in the UK, with some measures extending and applying to England and Wales only. 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that, for many people, the boundary between work and home life has become blurred. A vast amount of people were suddenly required to work from home which meant for many, homes became offices and this has resulted in many struggling to disconnect from work outside of their working hours. 

On Tuesday 10 May, Prince Charles delivered the Queen’s Speech, outlining the Government’s aims and priorities for the parliamentary year ahead. This year, the speech contained a large focus on post covid and post Brexit economic stability, and proposals to tackling the rising cost of living.