BarrCo Solicitors

20/04/2022

How many Britions have asked for a payrise and how many have been successful?

A new YouGov survey has found that women over 30 are significantly less likely than men over 30 to ask for a pay rise and to be awarded a pay rise as a result of a request. In the 18- to 29-year-old age bracket, 60% of women and men polled said they had never requested a pay rise. Of those who had m...

19/04/2022

Menopause workplace pledge signed by over 600 employers

More than 600 employers have signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, which is part of a campaign by Wellbeing of Women. In signing the pledge, employers recognise that the menopause can be a workplace issue for which employees need support. Signatories commit to open, positive and respectful workplac...

19/04/2022

Rogue employers set to benefit from the government's delay to new laws

The Employment Bill, first proposed in December 2019, contained important changes to the law including: The right to request flexible working from day one of employment. The right to carers’ leave. The extension of redundancy protection for women and new parents. The creation of a single enforceme...

14/04/2022

Domestic abuse leave to become a right from day one in Northern Ireland

A new bill passed in Northern Ireland will provide employees who are victims of domestic abuse with the right to up to ten days of paid leave a year, to be known as "safe leave". The Bill provides a framework which includes: • Safe leave will be available to all employees from the first day of the...

09/03/2022

The Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will close on 17‌‌‌ ‌March‌‌‌ ‌2022, after which time employers will no longer be able to claim back Statutory Sick Pay for their employees’ coronavirus-related absences or self-isolation.

24‌‌‌ ‌March‌‌‌ ‌2022 is the deadline for submitting any new claims for absence periods up to 17‌‌‌ ‌March‌‌‌ ‌2022, or to amend claims already submitted.

After the 17 March 2022, normal SSP rules will apply again, which means employers should revert to paying SSP from the fourth qualifying day an employee is off work regardless of the reason for their sickness absence.

15/06/2021

£1m fine and suspended jail sentence for spying on staff

Ikea France has been fined a £1m after being found guilty of spying on staff and its former CEO fined £50,000 and given a suspended two year sentence. Evidence came to light in 2012 that the company had used private detectives and police officers to collect private data on hundreds of staff, inclu...

07/06/2021

Health and Safety detriments extended to "workers"

It is established law that employees are protected from suffering a detriment on health and safety grounds. Last November we reported on a case which involved about 5,000 union members who were predominantly low paid, migrant workers and gig economy workers. They brought claims that they had suffere...

02/06/2021

Do you have to undertake Covid 19 risk assessment before employees return to the office?

We have received several enquiries from employers asking what assessments they need to undertake before getting their employees back to work. As an employer, you must protect your employees and others from harm. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from coronaviru...

24/05/2021

What pay is available if you have to self-isolate?

You have a legal obligation to self-isolate if: You have Covid symptoms, such as a new continuous cough, high temperature or a change in taste or smell. You test positive for Covid-19. You live with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. You live with someone who has Covid symptoms (unless th...

18/05/2021

We offer testing to our staff (WOTTOS) endorsement scheme launched

The government has issued guidance about the “We Offer Testing to our Staff) (WOTTOS) endorsement scheme. The scheme showcases those organisations that offer regular testing for their employees through displaying an easily recognisable and NHS Test and Trace branded physical and/or virtual sticker...

12/05/2021

We offer testing to our staff (WOTTOS) endorsement scheme launched