The Government recently announced that 191 companies failed to pay £2.1 million to over 34,000 workers, owed for minimum wages. Those companies were all named and shamed under the Naming Scheme. This scheme was previously paused in 2018 to evaluate its effectiveness, resuming in February 2020.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: Sue Ferguson
The High Cost of Workplace Conflict
Workplace conflict can cost UK employers around £28.5 billion every year. This astounding figure comes from the latest ACAS report, Estimating the Costs of Workplace Conflict, which I have greatly summarised here.
Continue readingSeven Strategies for Successful Hybrid Working
With the successful rollout of the COVID vaccine programme, lockdown is gradually being lifted. With many organisations returning to the workplace, how many will continue with homeworking?
Continue readingLatest News on Statutory Rate Changes in April 2021
Many employers were concerned that the Government would not publish their April 2021 proposed statutory rates because of the immense focus on the pandemic. However, the rates were published in December to keep statutory rates in line with the consumer price index (CPI).
Continue readingGovernment has Released Proposals for New Immigration Law from January 2021
From January 2021, the government is implementing a standard set of rules applying to all non-UK workers, regardless of their nationality. Freedom of movement for EU and EEA nationals will end, although Irish citizens will continue to be free to travel to the UK under the Common Travel Area.
Continue readingReady, steady, Zoom! Your virtual Christmas party
We all deserve some fun this Christmas. Being in lockdown doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a safe, socially distanced Christmas party. In fact, through researching the many options of how to hold an online Christmas party, it could be more fun than the real thing. Below are some great party ideas.
Continue readingExtending the Job Retention Scheme
Boris Johnson has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended rather than closed as originally planned. The extension will cover the new lockdown in England which started on Thursday 5 November and is expected to last until Wednesday 2 December.
Continue readingCan You Use the KickStart Scheme?
The Kickstart Scheme was announced in July 2020 and is aimed at creating new high-quality jobs to help 16-24-year-old unemployed people on Universal Credit. The aim is to provide opportunities for young people to enter the workplace, especially as many of those in this age bracket may have lost their jobs as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
Continue readingWhat is the Job Retention Bonus and How Can You Use it?
On 8 July 2020, the Chancellor announced a new Job Retention Bonus for employers who have used the Job Retention Scheme. You can receive a £1000 cash bonus for every furloughed employee provided that:
- you bring the furloughed employee back to work and continue to employ them for the period of November 2020 to the end of January 2021; and
- the employee earns a minimum of £520 average per month between November and January 2021.
Payments will be made from February 2021.
Continue readingLong Term Flexible Working during COVID-19
In recent months, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant amount of the workforce working from home. Many employees necessarily worked more flexible hours or days, often to balance work and other responsibilities, such as home schooling or childcare.
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