Optimal Employment Law Ltd

26/01/2024

We are extremely proud to be supporting Bury Hospice in sponsoring For the Love of Ball at The Village Hotel in Bury on Friday 9th February 2024.

A glistening evening of fine dining and live music to raise very much needed funds, whilst recognising the amazing care and support Bury Hospice provides to our community.

For further information, please contact Lara Partridge at [email protected]

22/11/2023

The Government announced yesterday that from 1 April 2024 the National Living Wage will apply to all workers aged 21 and over which previously applied only to those aged 23 and over.

The annual increases to the minimum wage and national living wage with effect from 1 April 2024 are as follows:

21 and over - £11.44 (increase of £1.02)
18 - 20 - £8.60 (increase of £1.11)
16 - 17 and apprentices - £6.40 (increase of £1.12)

According to the Treasury, this is the largest ever cash increase to the rate and is expected to impact approximately two million people.

24/08/2023

Do you train your managers, and if so, how often?

It's a question that can make a world of difference when it comes to preventing employment-related issues and defending certain types of claims.

We're sharing this eye-opening article which highlights the importance of staying updated with legal training. A recent employment tribunal victory resulted in a substantial payout following a sexual harassment case. Training can make all the difference in avoiding such costly mistakes.

Read more about it here - https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/national-grid-trainee-wins-360-000-in-sexual-harassment-tribunal/

21/07/2023

📢 *MAJOR CHANGES TO FLEXIBLE WORKING - COMING SOON!* 📅

Here's a snapshot of the key amendments you need to know:

1. ⏰ *Waiting Period*: The initial proposal for all employees to request flexible working from day one appears to have been excluded, which means employees will still need six months' service before making a formal application.

2. ✉️ *More Requests Per Year*: Good news for employees seeking flexibility! Under the new law, employees will be able to make *two* formal requests per year instead of just one. 🌟

3. 📆 *Faster Decision-Making*: Employers will now have *two months* (previously three) to handle formal requests. This change aims to streamline the process and provide you with timely responses.

4. 🤝 *Consultation*: Employers will be obliged to *consult* with employees when considering a formal application. They'll also explain why any requested changes cannot be accommodated before refusing the request. This promotes meaningful consideration and open communication. 🗣️

5. ❓ *Appeal Rights*: The legislation is silent on whether employees will have the right of appeal. Whilst this aspect is not specified, Optimal Employment Law will be here to guide and support you through the process.

🚫 *Realistic Expectations*: Despite these positive changes, it's important to note that not every role may be suitable for flexible working, and certain business constraints may not allow for preferred working patterns. The new law acknowledges these situations.

At Optimal Employment Law, we're dedicated to helping you navigate these changes and ensure compliance with the evolving legislation. If you require assistance in drafting or amending your flexible working policy, feel free to reach out to our expert team. We're here to empower both employees and employers to embrace a flexible work environment! 🌈💼

21/07/2023

Do you have an expenses policy?
How do you manage expenses incurred by your staff?
How long are your staff having to wait to be reimbursed?

If you don't or you've not updated your expenses policy recently then now is the time to have a chat with us about how we can assist you 👉🏻 http://www.optimalemploymentlaw.co.uk/contact-details/

https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/work-expenses-driving-employees-into-debt/

18/07/2023

A legal definition of bullying and a new respect at work code to be introduced.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/bill-to-introduce-legal-definition-of-bullying-at-work/?ID=zzrzf~99t9rq~qz9trz~W4ik~Ky0gk&utm_campaign=PTELD-WORKBUZZ-140723-DE&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&utm_content=newsletter

05/07/2023

The 4 Day Week…Can it work in all sectors?

Earlier this year, 4 Day Week Global reported its findings on the UK's trial of the four-day work week, which ran from June to December 2022. The findings suggest that a four-day week significantly reduces employee stress and burnout and helps with worker retention, without a corresponding drop in productivity. 56 of 61 participating companies confirmed that they intended to continue with the revised model after the pilot.

Of the 61 companies which took part, five were from the finance and insurance sector. This is in addition to Atom Bank which implemented a four-day week last year after its own trial and has since reported a 49% increase in applications.

Although some of the changes we have seen in recent times were inconceivable a few years ago, it remains to be seen whether the four-day week could be widely implemented in highly regulated and competitive sectors which have traditionally relied on round-the-clock service and long employee hours.

In particular, for FCA-regulated firms there is the additional consideration of whether the four-day week is compatible with their ability to meet their regulatory responsibilities. In October 2021 the FCA first published its expectations for firms deploying remote or hybrid working. It has continued to update these regularly as new working models have developed.
The key takeaway from the FCA's guidance is that flexible working policies "should not risk or compromise the firm's ability to follow all rules, regulatory standards and obligations, or lead to a failure to meet them."

• Are you receiving more requests to work flexibly?
• Do you need carefully drafted policies for flexible working?

For more information and support 👇🏻

http://www.optimalemploymentlaw.co.uk

27/06/2023

𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

Do you provide training for your staff? If so, do you refresh this training on a regular basis?

At Optimal Employment Law we provide a range of different training sessions to give you and your biggest asset, the knowledge and information they require to be able to effectively execute policies and minimise the risks of a claim.

To find out more speak to us today 👇🏻
🌐 www.optimalemploymentlaw.co.uk

22/06/2023

Since 2019 we’ve been providing assistance to employers to ensure that they are receiving the correct and best advice when it comes to employment law.

If you are a business owner/HR Manager that is worried about any aspects of your HR documentation or would like to look at investing in legal training for your staff, then we’d love to have a conversation with you.

Here is a link for further information on our services 👇🏻
http://www.optimalemploymentlaw.co.uk

19/06/2023

At Optimal Employment Law, we understand the complexities of employment law and the challenges that businesses face in managing their legal obligations. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of retained client services to help businesses stay on top of their legal requirements and protect their interests.

Our retained client services provide businesses with access to our expert employment law advice and support on an ongoing basis. Whether you need help with HR policies and procedures, employee contracts, or dispute resolution, our team of experienced employment law specialists are on hand to provide you with the guidance and support you need.

As a retained client, you will have access to a dedicated employment law specialist who will work closely with you to understand your business and its unique needs. We will provide you with proactive advice and support to help you stay compliant with employment law and manage any legal issues that may arise.

Our retained client services also provide businesses with peace of mind. With our expert guidance and support, you can focus on running your business, knowing that you have a team of experienced professionals on hand to protect your interests and manage any legal risks.

In addition, our retained client services offer businesses a cost-effective way to manage their employment law obligations. By accessing our services on an ongoing basis, you can benefit from our expert guidance and support at a fixed fee, helping you to manage your costs and budget effectively.

At Optimal Employment Law, we are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality employment law services. Our retained client services offer businesses a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to their employment law needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your business and achieve your goals 👇🏻

🌐 optimalemploymentlaw.co.uk

31/05/2023

On 24 May 2023, the following received Royal Assent:

1. The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act which allows up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible parents of a new-born baby admitted to neonatal care.

2. The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act which extends the existing protections to those on maternity, adoption or shared parental leave to pregnancy and a period of time after returning to work.

3. The Carer’s Leave Act which allows for a statutory entitlement to one week of flexible unpaid leave for employees caring for a dependent with a long term care need.

We now await the secondary legislation in order to implement the above.

Would you like us to review your existing family friendly policy/provide a new one?

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/neonatal-leave-redundancy-protection-bills/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin

30/05/2023

Help is always required when it comes to your HR & Employment Law issues. Sometimes it's can be a trivial thing, other times it can be a major issue that you need assistance with.

Through our retainer services you get piece of mind and access to us each month for a monthly fixed fee.

Currently without an internal HR department and not sure of your next steps then let's have a conversation about how we can assist you moving forward 👇🏻

🌐

OEL provides commercial & pragmatic advice so you can focus on managing your business without spending your valuable time on complex employment matters.