Be Aware UK

Hospitality and Leisure Focus: Franchising: Three common issues

12 June 2024 / franchise, franchising, hospitality, Hospitality and leisure / Employment

Continuing with our series of articles focussed on issues for employers in the Hospitality and Leisure sector, we are today considering three issues related to franchising. The term ‘franchising’ can be used to describe many different forms of business relationship, including licensing, distributor agreements and agency arrangements. According to the British Finance Association: “in its […]

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An Introduction to ESG for HR Professionals: Article 2 – Environment

22 May 2024 / environment, ESG, whistleblowing / Employment

In our previous article we introduced our latest Be Aware series ‘An Introduction to ESG for HR Professionals’. As we dive deeper into the key considerations of each ‘letter’ in the acronym, the first of these ESG pillars we are considering is E for ‘Environment’. It goes without saying that the climate emergency is vast,

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An Introduction to ESG for HR Professionals: Article 3 – Social

22 May 2024 / DEI, diversity, ESG, health and safety, human rights, inclusion, modern slavery, social / Employment

The second of the ESG pillars we are considering as part of our series ‘An Introduction to ESG for HR Professionals’ is S for Social. The ‘S’ Pillar relates to the considerations that a company must be aware of when navigating its social environment– this includes its interactions with employees, local communities and the wider

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An Introduction to ESG for HR Professionals: Article 4 – Governance

22 May 2024 / ESG, governance, sustainability / Employment

In recent times, environmental and social considerations have understandably risen to the top of our cultural agenda. The corporate world, driven by an increasing need to satisfy a wider stakeholder base, has followed the trend and as a result, the third pillar of ESG – ‘Governance’ – often finds itself an afterthought in the wider

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Hospitality and Leisure Focus: Distribution of tips and gratuities

2 May 2024 / code of practice, gratuities, hospitality, leisure, tips, tronc / Employment

As we move into the new legislative and tax year, there are a raft of recent and impending changes which will have significant impact on employers in the Hospitality and Leisure sector. The Employment Group at DLA Piper works with a huge range of employers in this sector, advising on all aspects of the employment

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Financial Services in Focus: FCA and PRA AI Update: Senior Managers’ accountability for the use of AI

30 April 2024 / Employment, Financial services

Following the publication of the Government’s pro-innovation strategy earlier this year, the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) AI Update last week sets out how its existing regulatory framework maps to the Government’s five principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation (AI Principles). The Bank of England and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have also written to the

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April 2024: A summary of employment law changes coming into effect this month

3 April 2024 / Employment

Various changes to employment laws come into effect during April 2024, largely impacting on family-friendly rights but also on statutory pay rates and holiday pay rules. For information on the changes to holiday pay, in effect from 1 April, read our separate blog post. The new statutory pay rates, which apply from 6 April, can

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The latest changes to holiday pay in the UK and what they mean for employers

3 April 2024 / holiday, holiday pay / Employment

In January 2024, the UK government introduced new regulations, The Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 (Regulations). Changes in effect from 1 January 2024 are Changes to the definition of a week’s pay for holiday pay calculations. Changes to carry over of holiday rules. Changes which take effect for holiday years commencing

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UK immigration update: Increase to the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker and Global Mobility routes, and other changes to the immigration rules

19 March 2024 / Employment

At a glance On 14 March 2024, the UK Home Office published its changes to the immigration rules. These include an increase to the general and specific thresholds to the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes. The changes remove the current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with a shortened Immigration Salary List (ISL). Inclusion on

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UK immigration update: MAC review of the Immigration Salary List

12 March 2024 / immigration / Employment, Immigration

At a glance In a previous post, we discussed the Government’s proposals to overhaul the salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route. The proposals mean that the current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) would be drastically cut down and the 20% reduction on salary would be removed. The revised list would be known as the Immigration

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Enforcement against the use of biometrics in the workplace

28 February 2024 / data protection, employee monitoring / Employment

At a glance The ICO has issued an enforcement notice which provides valuable insights into its approach to the use of biometrics in the workplace, and the lawfulness of employee monitoring activities more broadly. On 23 February 2024, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ordered Serco Leisure Operating Limited (Serco), an operator of leisure facilities, to

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UK immigration update: Illegal working civil penalties are increasing – Is your business compliant?

12 February 2024 / illegal working, immigration, right to work, sponsorship / Employment, Immigration

At a glance Civil penalties for breaches of illegal working regulations will be tripling on 13 February 2024 to GBP45,000 for a first offence and GBP60,000 for each illegal worker for repeat or significant breaches. From 6 April 2024, all sponsors with a licence expiration date falling on or after 6 April 2024 will no

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Consultation on proposal to reintroduce fees in the Employment Tribunals

30 January 2024 / consultation, employment appeal tribunal, employment tribunals, fees / Employment, Reform

The government has published a consultation paper on proposals to reintroduce fees in the Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal The proposal is for a one-off fee of £55 payable on presentation of the claim There will be no fee payable at the hearing stage There will be no distinction between types of claim There

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Changes to the Equality Act with effect from 1 January 2024

18 January 2024 / equality, Equality Act 2010 / Employment

At a glance The Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (Amendment Regulations) came into effect on 1 January 2024. The Amendment Regulations incorporate in domestic law the effect of ECJ decisions interpreting discrimination law in the following areas: Indirect discrimination where a person without a relevant protected characteristic suffers the same disadvantage as those with

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