The latest government statistics on employee pay reveal an 8.6% gap between men’s and women’s median hourly earnings for 2018, confirming that there is still a gender pay gap in the UK in 2019 that needs to be addressed. It would appear that employers are not quite doing enough to tackle the gender pay gap problem despite there being serious legal consequences for those that fail to meet their employment law obligations in this area. Employer obligations in relation to the gender pay gap mainly entail the duty to report gender pay gap data, but may also involve other concerns depending on the circumstances. more
The Equality Act 2010 outlines nine protected characteristics which it is illegal to discriminate against. It can be confusing for employers and employees to know how each characteristic is protected by law. This article is designed to help clear up any confusion. more
When an employer sells their business, the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 are triggered to provide protection to the existing employees of the organisation being transferred. Therefore, it is important that both the outgoing and incoming employers understand their obligations under TUPE. more
Dating a colleague is not illegal under UK law. If you are ‘let go’ and you believe that the reason for your dismissal is linked to your relationship then you may have a case against your employer for unfair dismissal. Office romances are very common. Consider these recent statistics: more
A Settlement Agreement, formally known as a compromise agreement, is an agreement made between an employee and employer which is legally binding and usually ends the employment relationship. They usually involve an employee agreeing to leave their position with a financial settlement in exchange for waiving their rights to bring an unfair dismissal claim against their former employer. more
The decision in Aslam (and others) v Uber, decided last month has the potential to change much of the landscape surrounding employment law, bringing it up to date with the economic reality of the so-called ‘gig’ economy, that has been steadily growing since the 2008 financial crash. more
If you are dismissed because you, ‘blew the whistle’ on an issue at your place of work, the dismissal is classed as automatically unfair and you will be entitled to damages. more
Disciplining employees is not a function many managers relish in. In fact, many will go out of their way to avoid confronting a worker who clearly needs bringing into line. However, the longer a problem like a difficult employee is left to fester, the worse it becomes and you risk bringing down the morale of other staff members if you do not deal with the matter promptly. more
Although having an employment contract is not compulsory when you take on an employee, putting one in place ensures that both you and your staff are aware of your obligations to each other, and the employee is aware of his or her rights. Remember, even if you choose not to have employment contracts for your staff, you still need to provide them with a Written Statement of the main terms of their employment, such as salary and working hours. This must be provided within two months of an employee starting work. more
If you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and wish to come to the UK to work, then you will need to apply for a Tier 2 (General) Visa. This will allow you to enter the UK and work in the country for up to five years. more
A Guide to Wrongful and Unfair Dismissal Being dismissed from your job is a stressful, humiliating experience. If you believe the reason for the dismissal was wrong or unjust, then you have a right to challenge your employer’s decision in the Employment Tribunal and claim compensation. This guide will help you navigate the steps to take when making a claim against your employer. It is separated into two parts – wrongful dismissal and unfair dismissal. more