Interested in HR, personnel and employment law issues?

Anyone interest in HR, personnel and employment law issues might want to view Pannone LLP solicitors' well established employment law blog. It contains regular blogs on topical HR and personnel issues and blogs answering tricky employment law questions, written by Pannone's employment solicitors, including various posts by Helena Wheeler, Employment Lawyer: http://blog.pannone.com/employment/

Employment Tribunal claims increase by 56% to the highest level ever recorded

Figures published by the Tribunal service show that the number of claims accepted by employment tribunals in 2009-10 increased to 236,100 (up from 151,000 the previous year).

The recession will no doubt have played a significant part in the increase - the number of claims relating to redundancy pay shot up by 76% to 19,000 in 2008-09. Unfair dismissal claims also increased by 9% to 57,400. Increases were also seen in age discrimination claims, up by 37% and working time directive claims increased dramatically by 297% to 95,200 in 2009-10.

The sharp rise in claims has resulted in a significant backlog of cases waiting to be heard. Only 65% of cases had their first hearing within 26 weeks of the claim being received.

Is your business well placed to deal with employment issues and disputes? HR best practice is even more important when times are tough. Ending up in an Employment Tribubal could significantly damage even the most successful business. For help and advice visit http://www.kmchr.com/mentoring.aspx

Company Directors beware - the health & safety of your staff is your responsibility!

A custodial sentence was passed down to the employer of a labourer who fell to his death from the roof of a Comet store in Wrexham in 2007. Paul Alker fell through a skylight. He and his colleague had access to the store's roof by purpose built scaffolding, however, they were not issued with safety harnesses. Their employer was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence and jailed for two years.

Comet, which did not provide the contractor with their own health and safety policies, admitted failing to ensure Paul Alker's safety. Comet were fined £75,000 + £25,000 costs.

Following the tragic accident, the Company introduced a "robust contract management system".

The health and safety of all your staff is your responsibility. http://www.kmchr.com/health-and-safety.aspx

Emergency Budget - the impact on public sector pay

George Osborne announced in his emergency budget yesterday (22nd June 2010) that a public sector pay freeze, originally due to start in April 2011 will now be extended to 2012. The freeze will affect all public sector staff earning more than £21,000 per annum. Those earning less than this will receive an extra £250 per year during the freeze.

Want to read the full budget? Click here: Emergency Budget 2010

World Cup fever - could be worse than swine flu!

If England should actually reach the World Cup final, chances are business could grind to a halt!

The World Cup starts on 11 June and many employers are anticipating increased absenteeism and numerous requests for time off so staff can follow the tournament. There is no legal requirement for employers to give their employees time off to watch the World Cup, however, many businesses are adopting a flexible approach during this time. Some companies will screen matches in the workplace. For those adopting a 'business as usual' approach, company policy regarding requests for time off will be followed.

HR Expert gives World Cup advice

Has Africa got World Cup fever too? www.bbc.co.uk

Introducing a flexible approach during the World Cup, allowing staff to alter their start or finish time and to make up time off, will no doubt improve morale. However, the UK has a diverse and multicultural workforce so consistency is the key to avoiding potential claims for discrimination if adopting flexible working. Companies should give the same consideration to requests for flexible working on days when non-England matches are scheduled. Employers should also be aware of setting a precedent for major sporting events, with Wimbledon fast approaching.

No more sick notes...now it's a 'fit note'

From 6 April 2010 the former medical certificate, or ‘sick note’ changed and became the Statement of Fitness to Work, or ‘fit note’. The new fit note will ask GPs to confirm whether an individual is ‘unfit for work’ or ‘may be fit for work taking account of the following advice’. GPs will then be required to list whether the employee would benefit from a phased return to work, altered working hours, amended duties or workplace adjustments. However, the note does not require GPs to go into detail about which activities an employee can carry out at work.

Read the full details here: Sick Note Becomes Fit Note

My website goes live!

So excited - with a little help from a new client, my website is now up and running. Check it out at www.kmchr.com. That's what I like to see, local businesses supporting each other.