Be Aware UK

News and views from DLA Piper's Employment team

Employment

Government launches consultation on extension of right to request flexible working

23 September 2021 / Employment

The Government has today published its heavily-trailed consultation Making Flexible Working the Default on new proposals to make the right to request flexible working a day 1 entitlement, as well as its response to consultation on a new right to unpaid carer’s leave. Currently the statutory right to request flexible working only applies to employees …

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The COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Plan: Key points for employers

15 September 2021 / , , , , , , / Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment

The UK government has outlined its COVID-19 response for autumn and winter for England and stated that the main line of defence to the coronavirus pandemic is now vaccination rather than lockdown.  The government’s response includes both a Plan A – the intended approach which will be taken through autumn and winter – and a …

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CJRS: Less than 1 month until close – Key redundancy considerations for employers

1 September 2021 / , , , , , / Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment

Over seventeen months since its first launch in March 2020 – and following a number of surprise extensions along the way – the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has now entered its final month. It will draw to a close on 30 September 2021.  Over 11.5 million jobs have been supported by the scheme, allowing …

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New rules on self-isolation: What employers need to know

16 August 2021 / , , , / Coronavirus, Employment

Today marks a landmark moment in the self-isolation rules implemented to help manage the coronavirus pandemic in England. Now, close contacts of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will not have to automatically self-isolate for 10 days, provided they are fully vaccinated* or are aged under 18 years 6 months. This development is hugely …

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COVID-19: Government response to ‘pingdemic’ – Key issues for employers

27 July 2021 / Employment

Recent days have seen a flurry of COVID-19 related developments as the government seeks to react to the impact of millions of workers being ‘pinged’ by the COVID-19 App and  informed they should self-isolate for up to 10 full days.  This has led to significant workforce shortages across all sectors placing significant pressures on frontline …

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Health is everyone’s business: Government response to consultation is published

26 July 2021 / , , , / Employment

Just over 2 years ago, the government published a consultation paper seeking views on its proposals to reduce ill-health related job losses. The details are set out in our Be Aware of 15 July 2019.  Now, the government has finally published its response. The response highlights the government’s desire to focus on supporting individuals to …

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Government to introduce duty on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment

22 July 2021 / / Employment

In the UK, the #MeToo movement prompted various investigations, reports and initiatives addressing the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace including activity by the EHRC and the Women and Equalities Select Committee. In terms of specific government action, in 2019, the Equalities Office published a consultation paper on sexual harassment in the workplace which …

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Return to workplaces: key considerations for employers – a survey

16 July 2021 / Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment

For many businesses, a return to the workplace if finally on the horizon.  However, the road to return may not be straight-forward for all, with complex employment law and data privacy considerations at play. With this in mind, we are launching a 5 minute anonymous survey covering some of the key issues impacted by the …

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Government confirms plans for Step 4 of its COVID-19 Roadmap

12 July 2021 / , , , , , / Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment

*UPDATE 12 JULY 2021* The Government has today confirmed that it will move to step 4 of the COVID-19 Roadmap on Monday 19 July 2021.   However,  the emphasis of today’s announcement has shifted slightly with the public being urged to continue to act carefully and to remain cautious while the number of coronavirus cases is …

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Delay to further easing of lockdown restrictions means ‘work from home’ guidance continues

14 June 2021 / , , , / Employment

Today the government has formally confirmed the information, leaked in part to the media over the weekend, that it is potentially postponing full easing of lockdown restrictions in England by  a period of 4 weeks. Subject to a review in 2 weeks’ time, this means that it is likely there will be no change to …

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Gender critical beliefs can be protected philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act

10 June 2021 / Employment

The EAT has today allowed the appeal in Maya Forstater v CGD Europe and others, holding that gender-critical beliefs, including the belief that sex is binary, immutable and not to be conflated with gender identity, did qualify for protection as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act. The Claimant had engaged in debates on social …

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New workers’ watchdog announced today

8 June 2021 / , , , , , / Employment, Reform

Today the government has announced the publication of its response to consultation on establishing a new single enforcement body for employment rights, and confirmed that a new workers’ watchdog will be set up. The consultation dates back to July 2019, and was one of a myriad of consultations published in a flurry of activity in …

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Update on legislative reforms impacting employers

25 May 2021 / , , , , , , / Employment

Employers may remember that back in the pre-COVID world of July 2019, a series of consultation papers was published in quick succession in the final days of Theresa May’s office as Prime Minister. These consultation papers sought views on a wide and varied range of proposals with a potentially significant impact on employers: Extended protection …

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Coronavirus: 17 May 2021 – Key information for employers at Step 3 of the Roadmap

17 May 2021 / Employment

Today sees England take the next step forward out of the national lockdown which was imposed on 5 January 2021.    The country is now at Step 3 of the Government’s “Roadmap out of Lockdown” which was announced on 22 February 2021.  Step 1 took place in March, Step 2 on 12 April and Step 4 …

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Calculating 80% pay for variable pay employees on furlough: Changes from 1 May 2021

28 April 2021 / Employment

Where employees are on furlough, employers can claim up to 80% of their ‘usual’ wages. The calculation of usual wages is different depending on whether the employee has fixed or variable pay. Currently, this includes different treatment as regards periods spent on maternity or other family related leave or sick leave; such periods are essentially …

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