Be Aware UK

Government to introduce duty on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment

22 July 2021 / sexual harassment / 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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Guidance published on working safely from 19 July as employers prepare for return to workplaces

15 July 2021 / coronavirus, COVID-19, COVID-Secure, health and safety / Coronavirus, COVID-19

Ahead of the move to Step 4 of the Roadmap on 19 July, the Government has published guidance for businesses on working safely during COVID-19 and reducing the risk in workplaces. The following guidance has been published: Step 4 overview Construction and other outdoor work Events and attractions Hotels and guest accommodation Offices, factories and …

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

6 July 2021 / coronavirus, COVID-19, face coverings, roadmap, self-isolation, social distancing / 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 / coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, roadmap / 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 / enforcement, holiday pay, modern slavery, national minimum wage, statutory sick pay, watchdog / 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 / discrimination, Employment Bill, employment reforms, ethnicity pay reporting, parental leave, redundancy, statutory sick pay / 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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COVID-19 right to work check concession to end on 16 May 2021

20 April 2021 / Employment

The ability to perform remote right to work checks for new employees will come to an end on 16 May 2021. On 30 March 2020, the UK government temporarily suspended the requirement for employers to carry out right to work checks on original documentation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In place of an original document …

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COVID-19: Furlough extended to 30 September 2021

3 March 2021 / Employment

In his March 2021 Budget, the Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will be extended to 30 September 2021. This is welcome news for employers, many of whom are not yet able to reopen, and it should assist them to retain employees, pending the anticipated easing of lockdown restrictions over coming …

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COVID-19: Government urges employers to test staff: deadline to register for free kits extended from 31 March to 12 April 2021

1 March 2021 / COVID-19 Testing / Employment

30 MARCH 2021 UPDATE: The deadline to register for free kits has been extended to 12 April 2021. In addition, employers with 10 or more employees are now able to order home test kits online to distribute to their employees. 6 MARCH 2021 UPDATE: The Government has today extended the offer of free testing kits …

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New COVID-19 ‘cautious and irreversible’ roadmap announced

22 February 2021 / coronavirus, COVID-19 / Employment

The Prime Minister has now outlined his “cautious and irreversible” roadmap out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The roadmap applies to England only. While employers may be disappointed that there will no announcements on the continued financial support for businesses until the Budget on 3 March 2021, there is now at least some clarity on the …

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Are you ready for the impending changes to the IR35 regime?

16 February 2021 / IR35, off-payroll working / Reform, Tax

With just 2 months to go until the changes to the IR35 regime come into force on 6 April, are you aware of what those changes will mean and do you have the necessary preparations in place? HMRC introduced IR35 (or the “off-payroll working rules”) in 2000 to tackle so-called “disguised” employment. It is designed …

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