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Employment e-news

RIDDOR Reporting – why is it important?

Napthens - July 6th 2021

A few of our recent hub articles have highlighted the importance of accident and near miss reporting in the effective management of health and safety, but did you know that it is a criminal offence not to report certain accidents and incidents to the HSE?

Remote working and employee surveillance

Napthens - June 2nd 2021

We are sure that it will not come as a surprise to hear that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic drastically increased the number of individuals who are currently working remotely in the UK. While we have seen many businesses return to the physical workplace since the initial lockdown restrictions began to lift in June/July 2020, many employers are continuing to adhere to the Government’s ‘work from home’ guidance, where possible.

Near-miss reporting

Napthens - June 2nd 2021

The HSE define a near-miss as an event that does not cause harm, but has the potential to cause injury or ill-health. In many cases, hazards in the workplace which cause accidents do not result in an injury and often this is due to the person involved taking action to avoid injury, or simply being lucky.

Managing conflict: informal vs formal action

Napthens - May 4th 2021

We all have conflict in our lives, it’s a natural part of human behaviour and we are all unique, so it makes sense that with all those personalities mixing its bound to stir up some disagreements from time to time.

Service provision changes and fragmented employers

Napthens - April 8th 2021

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has recently heard the case of McTear Contracts Ltd v Bennett & ors which substantially revises how TUPE will apply under domestic law with regards to service provision changes when those services are fragmented.

Reporting of accidents

Napthens - April 8th 2021

Accidents, injuries and unexpected incidents at work are something you try to avoid. But they can happen. When they do, it's good to report them, and investigate them - even if no one was seriously hurt -because it's an opportunity to find out why it happened and to stop it happening again.

Safety culture kick-start

Napthens - March 9th 2021

2021 is underway, and there’s no denying that it’s not started how everyone might have dreamed it would. You might well be thinking, here it is, another doom and gloom COVID-19 article from Napthens H&S but let me stop you there!

Who’s the employer? Is it always clear cut?

Napthens - February 1st 2021

It would be easy to think that the identity of an employer should be fairly easy to determine. However a recent case has demonstrated that it is not always clear cut, for example, where an employee is engaged by one company in a group but carries out work for another. Here, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) considered how the correct employer should be determined when its identity is in dispute between the parties.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Right of Access Detailed Guidance.

Napthens - December 8th 2020

Individuals have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information. This is commonly referred to as a subject access request or ‘SAR’. Individuals can make SARs verbally or in writing, including via social media. A third party can also make a SAR on behalf of another person.

Unfair deductions for training costs

Napthens - November 30th 2020

The repayment of training costs has once again hit the headlines. Last year, it was Capita and FDM Group who were reported to be charging employees who left their training service up to £20,000. With Capita admitting that their practice was unlawful. This year a Costa Coffee Franchise operated by Goldex Investments Essex, have been accused of making unfair deductions from former employees.

Meet the team: Steph Townson, People Projects

Napthens - November 2nd 2020

Steph has recently joined the Napthens’ Employment Department working in the People Projects Team. Due to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in we have done a Q & A with Steph so you can get to know her.

New ACAS guidance on employment references

Napthens - September 25th 2018

ACAS has recently released new guidance surrounding employment references and what should and should not be included.

Pilot used Star Wars character as his reference

Napthens - September 25th 2018

An employment tribunal has recently heard a case bought by Mr M, a former West Atlantic employee, who resigned after it was discovered he used a fake reference.

Temporary workers and their rights

Napthens - September 25th 2018

With the busy Christmas season just around the corner, many employers will be looking to take on temporary workers, we look at why you may want to take this approach and how temporary staff differ from full-time staff.

Paid leave for working carers

Napthens - August 22nd 2018

Currently there is no legal obligation placed upon employers to pay their employees for time off from work due to their care commitments. As a result this has left many employees needing to either use up their holiday entitlement or take unpaid leave in order to fulfil their care commitments.

Smartphones and Working Time Regulations 1998

Napthens - August 22nd 2018

Many organisations provide their staff with smartphones in order for their staff to be reachable outside of working hours by their colleagues and customers alike. However, could the use of smartphones potentially constitute a breach of the Working Time Regulations?