Opinion – Page 4
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OpinionPaula Kathrens: How can employers support staff with the menopause?
The government's announcement in January this year that menopause would not become a new protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 was very disappointing for those who had campaigned for change. The government's view is that the existing protected characteristics of sex, age and disability already provide protection against discrimination ...
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OpinionHelen Burgess: Long-term hybrid working plans key for many employers
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was commonplace for most employees to spend their full working week in the office, but it would seem now that hybrid working is here to stay. While up until recently many businesses have been flexible with their policies around hybrid working, more are now ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Could a four-day week become the new normal?
Would a reduced working week be right for your organisation? This week saw the publication of the results of a six-month-long trial of a four-day working week with no loss of pay in 75 organisations.Following the trial, which was led by Four Day Week Global, Four Day Week Campaign and ...
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OpinionEmma Burroughs and Tania Goodman: Is there a decrease in remote working jobs being advertised?
It has been widely reported that the number of fully remote roles available has dropped significantly; this is a continuing trend month on month, making the job market more competitive for those seeking such roles.Initially, many employers have taken a more relaxed approach to the return to the office, but ...
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OpinionAvneet Kaur: Diversity, equity and inclusion policies must align with employee benefits
A global pandemic and economic volatility, along with Black Lives Matter and trans rights movements, have all brought about seismic shifts in attitudes. Added to this, the modern workforce is multi-generational and diverse in culture, experience, and identity.Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies must therefore align with employee benefits in ...
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OpinionMartin Williams: Making the sums add up for a four-day week
In a way, four-day working is already with us. Many people do not work what is currently regarded as the full, or standard, working week of five days, Monday to Friday.It is the form of the four-day week that is the cause of debate. Should it be the standard? Should ...
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OpinionEmma Clark: Government responds to the Women and Equalities Committee’s menopause recommendations
The government’s response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s menopause recommendations is not only greatly disappointing, but also a huge failure in supporting women in mid-life. Women and menopausal people do not feel supported in the workplace when going through this transition, therefore negatively impacting their work.The lack of direct ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Does government need to rethink its stance on menopause support?
On Wednesday, the government faced criticism for its rejection of a number of measures put forward by the Women and Equalities Commission in July last year to support women in the workplace experiencing menopause.Specifically, in its response to the report Menopause and the workplace, the government rejected a proposal to ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Making the most of Blue Monday
A belated Happy New Year to you all!By now, Christmas feels like a distant memory, as many of us settle back into the usual day-to-day routine. Despite all the promise that a new year often brings, January can prove a difficult month for many, thanks to factors such as the ...
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OpinionTom Moyes: The importance of supporting and managing stress in the workplace
International Stress Awareness Week (7 - 11 November 2022) was founded in 2018 by the International Stress Management Association, and focuses on managing stress and running campaigns against the stigma associated with stress and mental health.Research published on 3 March 2022 by the London School of Economics and Political Science ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Supporting employees' fertility journey
Next week (31 October to 4 November) marks National Fertility Awareness Week. Fertility and trying to conceive often remains a hidden topic, particularly in the workplace, with many employees choosing to keep their journey to themselves. Yet, with fertility issues now facing more than 3.5 million people in the UK, ...
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OpinionSyma Spanjers: What support should employers provide for menopause in the workplace?
There is growing momentum among employers to support employees affected by the menopause in the workplace.In July 2022, the government produced its response to the Independent report on menopause and the workplace. For employers, the key recommendations include promoting open conversations and training line managers to recognise symptoms of the ...
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OpinionAndrew Krawczyk: Good data is vital in building an employee-led health strategy
Organisations have a wealth of employee data, almost at their fingertips: from basic demographical information to more in-depth personal data such as health and fitness, absence records, or health insurance and group risk claims. This data plays an important role in improving employee wellbeing and resilience, providing strategic direction based ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Supporting staff through baby loss
This week marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, between 9-15 October. While other awareness days or weeks are widely discussed in the corporate space, this one appears to be less so. Baby or pregnancy loss is often a hidden subject in the workplace, with many employees perhaps preferring not to disclose ...
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OpinionLaura Tracey: How employers can support staff with the loss of a child
Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) is when many who are affected by the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination for medical reasons, come together in remembrance and support in both their personal and working lives.Employees who suffer from a miscarriage before 24 weeks do ...
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OpinionCharlie Thompson: Will there be more claims now Long Covid is recognised as disability?
Recently, an employment tribunal in Scotland held that an employee with Long Covid-19 (Coronavirus) was disabled under the Equality Act 2010. This is the first decision of its kind, and will not be the last.The tribunal’s decision is not surprising. It was only a matter of time until an employment ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Ensuring support for menopausal staff
This week, the Women and Equalities Committee published a report calling on the government to act to amend the Equality Act, in order to introduce menopause as a protected characteristic, and to include a duty for employers to make reasonable adjustments for menopausal staff. This follows last month’s initial confirmation ...
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OpinionLauren Harkin: Employees’ health rights in high temperatures
With temperatures set to soar well over 30 degrees Celsius in parts of the UK this week, rumours often circulate about the rights of employees regarding the temperatures in which they can legally work. So, do employees have a right to stop working if a maximum temperature is exceeded?Somewhat surprisingly, ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: The temperature's rising...
As the temperature looks set to soar further in the coming days, the question of when it becomes too hot to work is inevitably on many people's minds. Under current UK law, there are rules around minimum working temperatures, but no maximum limit.With the Met Office having issued a level ...
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OpinionAlex Mizzi: Menstrual leave policies in the workplace
Menstrual leave policies seem to be flavour of the month, with the Spanish cabinet approving new legislation which would grant staff who suffer severely painful periods three days of optional leave per month, and an extra two days in exceptional cases. Although only a handful of countries have made menstrual ...