The Employment Law & HR Podcast

In this episode of the podcast I cover up to date key information for employers to consider. Correct as at 09/03/2020. In this episode I will cover: .What if the Employee returns from holiday in an affected area but has no symptoms or obvious exposure? What if the employee has possible exposure from someone who is infected and is advised to remain at home by a medical professional or on medical advice issued? Closure of the workplace or requiring staff to stay away from the office due to concerns? What if an employee has the virus? What if an employee wants to stay at home because they are worried or of a nervous disposition? What if an employee refuses to stay at home? What if the employee cannot work as their child’s school or nursery is closed? Some other considerations such as insurance and alternative ways of working. Action Points 1) Issue a notice to all staff requiring them to inform you immediately if they are at risk because of travel to a location deemed by the Home office to be a risk. 2) Issue a notice to all staff reminding them of the requirement to properly wash their hands and contain any coughs and sneezes. 3) Encourage good hygiene in the workplace and consider increasing cleaning and providing additional sanitising equipment and materials. 4) If your business is such that customers and visitors come onto your premises, display additional notices about hand washing, provide sanitiser and put up notices asking customers to inform you if they have been to one of the affected areas in recent weeks. 5) If you intend to implement a policy of minimum time between returning from holiday to returning to work, notify all staff and inform them how you plan on dealing with this time. If you are going to require them to take holiday for example for these extra days make it clear that you are doing so and refer to the relevant part of your contracts and/or procedures. 6) Review your business continuity plan. 7) Consider your ability to work from home and explore what resources are available to you to enable your business to continue to operate as smoothly as possible. 8) Assign one or two senior people in the business as responsible for monitoring the situation on the www.gov.uk website and within the business. 9) If in doubt seek advice. We are talking to businesses on a daily basis about these issues and we can share best practice, latest advice and support with you. Please do leave your thoughts on this issue in the comments section below. Please ensure that any comments are respectful to all views and opinions. Photo-by-Dimitri-Karastelev-on-Unsplash As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £198 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion - alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001 or 023 8098 2006 Would you like advice about your situation? Appointments are available on the telephone or via Skype throughout the UK. Alternatively we offer face to face appointments on the Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham, Portsmouth, Winchester and surrounding areas in Hampshire. The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action. Solicitors Isle of Wight | Solicitors Salisbury | Solicitors Eastleigh | Solicitors Portsmouth HR Isle of Wight | HR Salisbury | HR Eastleigh |HR Portsmouth

In this episode 238 of the podcast I bring you a rundown of the key employment law changes from 2024 as well as a look ahead to what is to come in 2025. It is important that all employers are aware of the changes and take steps to ensure compliance now. In this episode of the podcast we cover: Holiday entitlement calculations for irregular hours, zero hours and part-year workers. Holiday pay changes. Expansion of flexible working rights. Introduction of carer’s leave. Paternity leave changes. Changes to redundancy protection for pregnant employees and those taking family leave. Sexual harassment prevention duty. Gratuity (Tips) law changes. The Employment Rights Bill. New Employment Tribunal rules and procedures. Removal of employers ability to respond to an Employment claim by email. Neo-natal care leave. Gender identity and gender critical belief cases.   Previous Podcasts to Note Holiday Pay changes – Holiday Entitlement & Pay Sexual Harassment Prevention – New Sexual Harassment Laws in 2024 & New Sexual Harassment Law: Important change for all employers Employment Rights Bill – Employment Rights Bill 2024: Key information Redundancy Protection case – Redundancy Protection on Maternity Leave     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this episode 237 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Steve Phillip founder of The Jordan Legacy an organisation founded following his life-changing experience after the death of his son Jordan. In this episode of the podcast we cover: What employers need to be aware of with regards to suicide. Tips on how to manage conversations about suicide. Why every employer has a role to play in preventing suicide. Resources that all employers can access. Managing employee wellbeing and mental health generally.   Resources Zero Suicide Alliance 20-minute free video training resource: https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training The Hub of Hope – postcode search for local help and support: https://hubofhope.co.uk/ The Jordan Legacy website: https://thejordanlegacy.com/ The Jordan Legacy Help & Resources website page: https://thejordanlegacy.com/help-resources/     Steve Phillip Steve Phillip was a successful leadership & sales coach and corporate speaker, heading towards semi-retirement, when, in December 2019, he received a call that would change his life forever; his 34 year old son, Jordan, had taken his own life. Within 12 months of this life-changing experience, Steve established The Jordan Legacy CIC to provide hope to people who are feeling suicidal, by engaging all those who share his ambition prevent all preventable suicides’. With a following of more than 60,000 people on LinkedIn, Steve delivers impactful and inspiring talks and interviews, using his own lived experience and insight to help others spot the signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health and how to provide support to those who are feeling suicidal. Steve delivers talks and interviews on the topic of suicide awareness and prevention to corporate organisations, charities, education centres, the Police, the Military and other organisations and community groups throughout the UK and overseas, including policy makers in various UK Government departments.   𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 Website: https://thejordanlegacy.com/  Jordan’s Space – The Jordan Legacy’s fortnightly radio show https://thejordanlegacy.com/jordans-space-on-yowah/  E: steve@thejordanlegacy.com LinkedIn – (Steve’s profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevephilliphope/ LinkedIn – The Jordan Legacy Company page https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jordan-legacy-foundation/ Instagram: @jordanlegacyUK https://www.instagram.com/jordanlegacyuk/ Twitter – The Jordan Legacy: @jordanlegacyUK https://twitter.com/jordanlegacyUK   Twitter – (Steve’s profile) @hopestevep https://twitter.com/hopestevep Facebook – (The Jordan Legacy) https://www.facebook.com/thejordanlegacycic/     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this episode 236 of the podcast I bring you my tips and ideas on how to have effective one to one and supervision meetings with staff. One of the things that many managers struggle with when managing people is maintaining regular meaningful communications with staff. In this episode of the podcast I cover: What is a one to one and supervision meeting. What is the difference between a one to one and a supervision meeting. Why it is important to incorporate in your management of staff. Why it does not have to be a complicated process. Why it is effective in improving performance. The steps needed to hold effective one to one and supervision meetings. What to include in your conversation. Why follow up is critical to success How it will save you time in the long run.   When preparing for one to one’s or supervision meetings I strongly recommend you read the work by Gary Vaynerchuck on Kind Candour. You can read a blog post on it here: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/kind-candor-and-why-how-you-deliver-the-medicine-matters-road-to-twelve-and-a-half-series/ Alternatively his book, Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success is even better as a resource for managers. You can purchase the book via Amazon HERE * *please note that if you use this link it is an affiliate link which means whilst it will not cost you any more however we will receive a referral payment from Amazon.     Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: Prevention Obligation DIY Training for Employees – £18 per person (inclusive of VAT) We have created a training programme for all employees so that they understand what Sexual Harassment is, how to report and what they should be doing to help prevent sexual harassment.   The training can be completed as required and will take approximately 75 minutes to complete. For more information or to access the course please go to: We are also offering a discount for bulk orders to please contact me by mail alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk for more information. Certificates will be provided for all attendees as proof of training.     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.

In this episode 235 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about a recent case decided by the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Hunter V Carnival plc in which the Appeal Tribunal considered the protection provided by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999. In this episode we cover: The protection provided to women on maternity leave by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999. The analysis of a suitable alternative vacancy in the context of maternity leave protection when a redundancy situation arises. What employers have to consider if they are making redundancies when an employee is on maternity leave or another period of family leave. What the difference is between reducing numbers of staff in a role and creating new reduced number roles. You can read the full judgment here: Hunter v Carnival plc     Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: Prevention Obligation Webinar Training for Managers 20th November at 10am  90-minute training webinar to ensure they understand what sexual harassment is, how to prevent sexual harassment and reporting and investigation obligations and processes. Each webinar is 90 Minutes, and the cost is £81.96 per person. To book please head to Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sexual-harassment-prevention-training-for-managers-tickets-1059654728819?aff=oddtdtcreator   Marie Fall, Chief People and Culture Officer from Axel Arigato had this to say about the training provided:  “We recently participated in a workshop led by Alison Colley on sexual harassment prevention, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. Alison brought an engaging and structured approach, delivering critical insights with clarity and depth. The session was interactive, making the complex topic accessible and relatable for all our leaders. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting both the quality of the content and Alison’s expert facilitation. We left feeling equipped and motivated to foster a safe, respectful workplace culture. Thank you, Alison, for an impactful session!”   DIY Training for Employees – £18 per person (inclusive of VAT) We have also created a training programme for all employees so that they understand what Sexual Harassment is, how to report and what they should be doing to help prevent sexual harassment. The training can be completed as required and will take approximately 75 minutes to complete. For more information or to access the course please go to: We are also offering a discount for bulk orders to please contact me by mail alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk for more information. Certificates will be provided for all attendees as proof of training.   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw  

On the 10th October 2024 the biggest reform of employment law for many years was published in the form of the Employment Rights Bill. In this episode 234 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about the changes to employment law. In this episode we cover: Sexual Harassment ‘all’ steps prevention Employees who make a sexual harassment disclosure will become a ‘protected disclosure’ for whistleblowing protection Employers will be liable to third party harassment Removal of the unfair dismissal qualifying period Introduction of a statutory probation period Regulation on zero and low hours contracts Additional rights for those on zero hours or low hour contracts Additional pregnancy protection from dismissal Additional protection for those who take family leave End to employers ability to dismiss employees who refuse a change to their contract terms Additional requirements for employers to justify the decision to refuse a request for flexible working Removal of the waiting period for statutory sick pay so it will be available from day 1 of employment Bereavement leave available for all Paternity and parental leave will be available from day one of employment Change to how you calculate the numbers for collective redundancy Creation of a fair work agency Trade Union reform including requirement for employers to set out in a written statement that the worker has the right to join a trade union You can read the full bill here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737   Sexual Harassment prevention paperwork For £100 plus VAT you can now download the following documents to get you started with your obligation to prevent sexual harassment: Sexual harassment risk assessment – organisation wide Sexual Harassment Policy Template & Guidance Note Sexual Harassment Investigation flow chart Notice to issue to all staff Training record Timetable for annual review Investigation guidance for managers You can download now here: Sexual Harassment Prevention Documents for Employers     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw             Photo by Deniz Fuchidzhiev on Unsplash

From the 26th October 2024 a new proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment comes into force and will apply to all employers regardless of size. In this episode 233 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about the change in the law as well as my advice and recommendations on what employers should be doing to ensure compliance. In this episode we cover: What the new legal obligation means. The consequences of not complying with the new obligation. The steps that employers should take to ensure minimum compliance. Why an annual review is needed. Why training for managers and all staff is important.   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

We are often called upon by both employers and employees to advise in situations where a departing employee has taken documents or confidential information belonging to their employer. Sometimes this is completely innocent and there is no intention on the part of the employee to exploit the information, and in others it is taken with the intent to use in their new employment, either way this can be very worrying for employers. In this episode 232 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the key things employers can do if they find themselves in a situation where confidential information has been taken and how to safeguard and prevent the loss in the first place. In this episode we cover: The reasons why departing employees may take confidential information or documents, The immediate steps employers should take when they find out that an employee has taken confidential information. The legal options available including obtaining an injunction and/or damages. The potential criminal consequences of taking confidential information or documents. Steps that employers can take during an employee’s employment to safeguard data. The importance of a robust confidentiality clause in employment contracts. When a non-disclosure agreement may be required. Why you should consider post-termination restrictions in your employee contracts. The points to note to ensure post-termination restrictions are enforceable. Why having robust IT processes and regular audits is important.     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE

In this episode 231 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Alice Derbyshire who is a specialist coach and speaker and who works with parents and employers on making the transition back to work as easy as possible. In this episode of the podcast we cover: What the key issues are for HR and managers to consider. Tips on how to reintegrate new parents back to the workplace. Why communication is key to a successful return to work. Why both employee and employer have a role to play in making it a success. The importance of one to one and or performance reviews before someone leaves for maternity leave. Why you need to have a plan in place for breastfeeding employees. Health and safety reviews for pregnant employees and new mums. The importance of putting in place touch points during parental leave.   Alice has also produced a document for you ‘Return to work from Parental Leave – 3 Easy Steps to Success’ which you can download for free here: HERE   Alice Derbyshire I want my kids to go to work and see a balance of men and women at every level of the organisation. To see role models that look and feel like them; to know that it’s possible to succeed regardless of their gender. I work with businesses who care about this too; supporting you to get structural balance from the bottom to the top. Leadership Coaching | Leadership Development | Parental Transitions | Workshops | Consultancy What clients say: “Alice is one of those rare individuals who understands the world we work in and how to impact business quickly. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough if you need an exceptional person to help your business grow through the people that you employ.” – Managing Director “You are perceptive, kind, and challenging in the most supportive way. How wonderful it is to see small tweaks have such a positive transformation on my leadership impact. I’ve learnt so much in a short time.” – Senior Global Marketing Director You can contact Alice: By phone: +44(0)7789 555626 Book time with Alice on Calendly Find out more – www.alicedarbyshire.com See Alice’s experience on LinkedIn  Follow her musings on Instagram   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

We are often called upon by employers and managers to advise on situations where issues with performance arise with employees, and the manager/employer has reached the end of their patience with the individual. We are also regularly asked by employers about how to manage employees who do not do what is required or are not up to standards. Whilst we can advise and resolve issues using a formal performance management process it is much better to head off the issues at an early stage and avoid the formal process altogether. In this episode 230 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the key things you can do to set your employees up for success. In this episode of the podcast we cover: Assessing and checking if you and your team understand their role and contribution to the business How to start in setting out goals and targets for each employee Why it is important to have the goals and targets and aims in place How it will help you in the long run How to proactively manage your team Why it is important to proactively manage your team What typically happens when the foundation work has not been done Why it inevitably leads to a dispute if the foundation is not in place and proactively managed The action points that you can take now to set up for success and prevent problems from arising     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw           Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

In recent weeks we have been advising several directors (who also happen to be shareholders) of companies where there has been some sort of fall out with fellow directors (and shareholders) leading to that person being dismissed from their role as director and in turn their employment. In this episode 229 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the employment rights that apply to directors who are employees of the business. I also cover my tips on avoiding disputes and how to resolve them quickly in the event of a dispute arising. In this episode of the podcast we cover: When a director is also an employee. The rights of directors who are also employees. Why you need to have an employment contract and clear terms in place at the outset. The importance of company documentation. Why you need to have targets and goals for directors that are measurable. Why you should caution against dismissing a director from their employment merely because they are no longer able to be a director.     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

Episode 6: Listener questions answered about disciplinary issues & unfair dismissal In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions from Employers about how to deal with disciplinary issues and how to avoid a claim for unfair dismissal. This is the final of 6 episodes that focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal. In this episode 228 I will cover: What to do if an employee fails to attend a disciplinary hearing What to do if an employee is signed off sick during the disciplinary process My suggestion on how you should handle matters if an employee asks to be accompanied at the hearing by someone other than a trade union rep or work colleague How to handle things if you have a small business and you are the only person able to deal with the investigation process and disciplinary hearing How you should deal with the expiry of a Fixed-Term Contract What procedures apply to the expiry of a Fixed-Term Contract Action Points If you receive a claim against you in the Employment Tribunal you should get advice to help to mitigate your losses. Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996  ACAS Code of Practice Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. The types of training we can deliver for you are: An introduction to the Equality Act Equality and Diversity Training An introduction to disciplinary & grievance processes and the law Holding effective 1:1’s Appraisal training—Introduction Appraisal training—Refresher Holding difficult conversations Effective root cause analysis Giving and receiving effective feedback Dealing with change & change management Time management Absence management How to carry out a disciplinary investigation Managing the disciplinary process Managing the grievance process Performance and capability management Assertiveness & managing confidently The skills required to be a good manager An introduction to mental health at work for managers Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I will tell you what the compensation could be for an employee who is successful in a claim for unfair dismissal and the other lesser used remedies. This is the fifth of 6 episodes that will focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal.   In this episode 227 I will cover: What the remedies are for unfair dismissal. What the difference is between an order for reinstatement and an order for re-engagement. How compensation for unfair dismissal is calculated. What the ‘Basic Award’s is. What the ‘Compensatory Award’ includes. What the Statutory Cap means. How causation effects compensation for unfair dismissal. What a Polkey deduction is. How the employees contributory fault can reduce compensation. What will happen if an employee has been claiming state benefits. Why an employee must try to mitigate their loss. Why employers should consider all of these issues in their defence and in producing evidence.   Action Points If you receive a claim against you in the Employment Tribunal you should get advice to help to mitigate your losses.   Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996  ACAS Code of Practice     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. The types of training we can deliver for you are: An introduction to the Equality Act Equality and Diversity Training An introduction to disciplinary & grievance processes and the law Holding effective 1:1’s Appraisal training—Introduction Appraisal training—Refresher Holding difficult conversations Effective root cause analysis Giving and receiving effective feedback Dealing with change & change management Time management Absence management How to carry out a disciplinary investigation Managing the disciplinary process Managing the grievance process Performance and capability management Assertiveness & managing confidently The skills required to be a good manager An introduction to mental health at work for managers Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I bring you a run down of the requirements of the ACAS code of practice. This is the fourth of 6 episodes that will focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal. In this episode 226 I will cover: What the purpose of the ACAS Code of Practice is The background to the Code of Practice What the essential elements of the Code of Practice are When the ACAS Code is applicable What the consequences are of failing to follow the Code Why you should have it in mind when dealing with conduct, performance and some other substantial reasons What you need to do to fairly investigate alleged conduct What you need to consider before dismissing an employee Action Points Ensure anyone assigned to deal with a disciplinary investigation and the disciplinary hearing in your organisation listens to this episode and downloads an up to date copy of the ACAS code of practice. Check your contracts and procedures to ensure that your disciplinary procedure is not contractual. Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996  ACAS Code of Practice       Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. The types of training we can deliver for you are: An introduction to the Equality Act Equality and Diversity Training An introduction to disciplinary & grievance processes and the law Holding effective 1:1’s Appraisal training—Introduction Appraisal training—Refresher Holding difficult conversations Effective root cause analysis Giving and receiving effective feedback Dealing with change & change management Time management Absence management How to carry out a disciplinary investigation Managing the disciplinary process Managing the grievance process Performance and capability management Assertiveness & managing confidently The skills required to be a good manager An introduction to mental health at work for managers Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I bring you information and analysis of the second test for a fair dismissal, the reasonableness test. This is the third of 6 episodes that will focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal. In this episode 225 I will cover: What the test for reasonableness is in accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996 The two elements of a reasonable dismissal, Procedure and Substantive Fairness What the fundamentals are for a reasonable dismissal decision The different reasonableness and procedural requirements for each of the potentially fair reasons What the range of reasonable responses test is What you need to do to fairly investigate a conduct allegation What you can do if you have more than one ‘suspect’ in an allegation of misconduct How to deal with performance issues in order to fairly dismiss an employee for poor performance What you need to consider before dismissing an employee   Action Points Ensure anyone assigned to deal with a disciplinary investigation and the disciplinary hearing in your organisation listens to this episode.   Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996  BHS v Burchell    Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. The types of training we can deliver for you are: An introduction to the Equality Act Equality and Diversity Training An introduction to disciplinary & grievance processes and the law Holding effective 1:1’s Appraisal training—Introduction Appraisal training—Refresher Holding difficult conversations Effective root cause analysis Giving and receiving effective feedback Dealing with change & change management Time management Absence management How to carry out a disciplinary investigation Managing the disciplinary process Managing the grievance process Performance and capability management Assertiveness & managing confidently The skills required to be a good manager An introduction to mental health at work for managers Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I bring you the five potentially fair reasons for dismissing an employee. This is the second of 6 episodes that will focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal.   In this episode 224 I will cover: What the five potentially fair reasons are An example of each of the reasons How they are applied Why the facts of each are important Why swearing at work can be grounds for a fair dismissal Who has the burden of proving the reason for the dismissal Why the burden shifts in a claim for Automatic Unfair Dismissal What you need to consider before dismissing an employee   Action Points Check what your staff handbook says about gross misconduct and ensure it includes what you consider to amount to gross misconduct in your organisation.   Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996    Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

This episode 223 of the podcast I bring you an introduction to the law regarding unfair dismissal. This is the first of a mini series that will focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal. It will assist both employers who may be looking at making dismissal decisions and employees who may have been dismissed and are unsure if the decision is fair or not. In this episode I will cover: The history of unfair dismissal How unfair dismissal started in the early 1970’s What it is and where you will find the law The fundamental difference between Unfair Dismissal and Constructive Unfair Dismissal The qualifying period for unfair dismissal Unfair dismissal claims with no qualifying period of service Claims for Automatic Unfair Dismissal The time limit for claims Circumstances when an employer must provide written reasons for an employees dismissal   Action Points Whenever you are considering dismissing an employee regardless of their length of service you should ensure that as a minimum you communicate the reason for termination to the employee. Employees have rights for automatic unfair dismissal in certain circumstances regardless of their service length and communicating the reason to them is likely to minimise the risk of drawing the wrong inference as to why.   Helpful Links Introduction to Constructive Unfair Dismissal: Episode 18  Focus on Constructive Unfair Dismissal: Episode 21 Employee who did not receive dismissal letter wins unfair dismissal claim Employment Rights Act 1996      Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this episode 222 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the changes to the Working Time Regulations which are effective in the holiday year that starts after 01 April 2024. In this episode of the podcast we cover: The definition of irregular hour worker The definition of part year worker How statutory holiday entitlement is accrued for irregular hour and part year workers How you can deal with carry over of leave How to calculate holiday pay Rolled up holiday pay is now permitted for irregular and part year workers Examples of what to consider when calculating holiday Why it is important to check contracts and holiday terms for existing employees before making a change to your holiday entitlement and pay   Harpur v Brazel Case Supreme Court case that has now been overturned and which is covered in Episode 202 Holiday Entitlement & Pay   You can find the full government guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simplifying-holiday-entitlement-and-holiday-pay-calculations/holiday-pay-and-entitlement-reforms-from-1-january-2024   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

In this episode 221 of the podcast I bring you my thoughts and reflections on the case of Bates v The Post Office and whilst not directly related to employment law there are lots of lessons that all employers and HR can take from the events that took place. In this episode of the podcast we cover: Why employers and HR need to take internal investigations seriously. The key things that investigators get wrong in disciplinary and grievance investigations. The civil test of ‘balance of probabilities’ and what this means. The importance of a common sense approach to issues that arise. Why communication is important at all levels of the organisation. Why large organisations need to have in place a means of obtaining feedback from the ground level through to Board level. How setting up employee forums, committees and/or employee representatives is a good way to establish if issues are systemic. Why the frequent use of settlement agreements can be a sign of an internal issue. That the usage and number of settlement agreements should be reviewed at Board level. How culture and leadership plays a key role in both avoiding and creating systemic and serious issues arising. The importance of independent and external review of decisions and disputes. A reminder that at the end of every decision is a human being whose life will be impacted.   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

In this episode 220 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Fay Wallis who is a specialist career coach who helps HR and People Professionals.   In this episode of the podcast we cover: What the key issues are for HR and people professionals. Tips on how to address the key issues. Time Management tools techniques and resources for HR professionals. Being pulled in different directions and how to manage this. How to deal with confidence issues and manage imposter syndrome. How to influence in your role.   Fay Wallis If you work in the HR or People team and want to have a successful and fulfilling career but have a challenge that’s getting in the way, I’m here to help. A qualified career and executive coach with a background in HR, here are some of the ways I can support you with building your skills, confidence, opportunities and impact at work: 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 Why not download the free condensed pdf version of my popular HR Planner? It’s a brilliant tool to help you get: clear on your work & career goals, organised & on top of your workload, and ready to make an impact & impress in your role. Here’s the link to download your copy:  https://www.subscribepage.com/hrplanner2023waitlist 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 HR Coffee Time features regularly in the top 10 Apple UK Careers Podcasts Chart, and hit the Number 2 spot in April 2023. It’s created especially to help you with your HR/People career. You can find it by searching for ‘HR Coffee Time’ on all the major podcasting platforms, or visiting this page of the Bright Sky website:  https://www.brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/ 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 • 1:1 coaching • Inspiring HR – group coaching programme • Interview coaching • Career change coaching • Online courses for LinkedIn and CV writing 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 After founding Bright Sky Career Coaching in 2016 and spending several years helping hundreds of people across many sectors and levels with their careers, I realised that I got the most joy from coaching HR and People professionals. So, since September 2022, I now focus all my efforts on supporting them. To help more ‘People people’, I’ve hand-picked a small team of expert coaches, also with an HR background, who work alongside me and share Bright Sky’s values of: 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗦 • Empathy: We are warm, understanding and supportive. • Expertise: Our coaches are highly qualified, with relevant HR backgrounds. • Empowerment: We ensure our clients have the confidence, energy and skills to move forward. We’re here to give you what you need to get to where you want to be. And if we’re not a good fit, we’ll point you to someone who is. ▶︎ 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲: 0330 223 2761 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk     Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw