Opinion – Page 3
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OpinionChristopher Hitchins: The impact of The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023
In a bid to address the new types of working patterns that are associated with the gig economy, the government’s long-awaited private members’ bill entitled The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 has received Royal Assent in the House of Lords.The bill, which forms part of the government’s 2017 ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: The power of strong ESG credentials
How far do your employer’s values and ethics align with your own? And to what extent does this consideration influence your decision to accept a role with an organisation?Research published this week by recruitment firm Resource Solutions found more than a third (39%) of respondents over the age of 55 ...
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OpinionKris Weber: The impact of BBC v Christina Burns on pension costs
BBC v Christina Burns concerns the ability of employers to amend their old-fashioned and prohibitively expensive defined benefit pension schemes to make cost-saving changes. Often this is done by closing a scheme to future accrual, so members no longer earn any further benefits in it. The court said the BBC ...
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OpinionTony Ark: Invesco supports UK workforce with comprehensive health benefits
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has long recognised that great health and wellbeing is a core enabler of employee engagement and organisational performance. Promoting wellbeing by taking a proactive approach to benefits that help prevent stress and create a positive working environment is therefore a priority for ...
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OpinionLee McIntyre-Hamilton: How to make cross-border remote working successful
Cross-border remote working has never been easier for employees. However, the same cannot be said when it comes to employer compliance.First and foremost, employers need to ensure that their employees have the legal right to work in the overseas country. Employees may need a visa or work permit. Also, employees ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Does Zoom's return to the office really spell the end for remote working?
The hybrid/remote working debate reared its head again this week, following the news that video communications company Zoom has ordered employees back to the office. Stating that it believed a structured hybrid approach to be most effective, the organisation has mandated that employees based within 50 miles (80km) of an ...
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OpinionChris Kisby: Key considerations around overseas working
For many, the idea of working from another country, be that permanently or for a short period, is a very tempting one, but there are considerations for when an employee makes a request to move abroad.It might be that an employer already has an office in the country where an ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Are employers meeting employees' ESG expectations?
At a time when the cost-of-living crisis means higher pay is a focus for many employees, it is testament to the ever-increasing focus on sustainability that nearly half (48%) of employees hailing from generation Z say they would consider leaving a job if their employer did not demonstrate action on ...
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OpinionPaula Squire: The issues surrounding work-from-anywhere policies
With flexible, remote and hybrid working now the norm within many UK businesses, the concept of work from anywhere has begun to take off, with employers fielding increasing requests from workers who want to pack up their laptop and log on from a tropical beach or a new bustling city.This ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Celebrating with the best
Today (Friday 23 June) marks one of my favourite events in the Employee Benefits calendar: the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party.All year round, we cover some of the fantastic initiatives and strategies employers have put in place for their employees, so relish the chance to celebrate these in person. ...
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OpinionYvonne Gallagher: Deliveroo rider worker status appealed at Supreme Court
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents a number of riders working for the app-based delivery service Deliveroo, has appealed to the Supreme Court seeking support for its claim that it should be entitled to be recognised by Deliveroo for the purposes of collective bargaining rights for ...
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OpinionMichelle Hobbs: Maternity protections are on their way
The Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill is expected to receive its final reading in the House of Lords imminently, and should be passed into law soon.The bill aims to extend current protections from redundancy for expectant and new mothers, and introduce new protections for those taking and returning from ...
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OpinionPaul Reeves and Leanne Raven: Are employees entitled to the King's Coronation bank holiday?
It has been announced that there will be an extra bank holiday to celebrate the King's Coronation on Monday 8 May, which will form a special three-day weekend for many, but not all, employees.Whether an employee is legally entitled to this extra bank holiday depends on the wording of their ...
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OpinionNicholas Jervis: The rise of unfair dismissals and impact on employee benefits
The ongoing economic uncertainty and evolving labour market conditions caused by the pandemic have increased pressure on businesses to cut costs and adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape. To address financial strain, some employers might resort to dismissals that are unjust or not in compliance with UK employment laws. ...
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OpinionHolly Navarro: Supporting Muslim staff during Ramadan
In today’s richly diverse society, employers must demonstrate an understanding of the cultural variances of employees, and foster an inclusive working environment, ensuring multi-faith workforces are listened to and respected. An openness to making reasonable adjustments during this time will help improve employee satisfaction and embed inclusivity and diversity within ...
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OpinionMegan Parker: Could employers be obliged to pay back historical holiday underpayments?
As of now, if an employee’s holiday is incorrect, they must bring a claim forward within three months of when the deduction was made, or if a string of underpayments has been made, within three months of the last time they were underpaid for their holiday.However, this system may be ...
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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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OpinionPaul Ball: Proposal to change holiday pay calculations begins
Since the introduction of rights to paid annual leave under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR), the number of workers who have irregular hours or are on term-time contracts has increased to more than 5.3 million.The WTR guarantee all workers at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year. However, ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Does the UK government have workers' interests at heart?
Over the past few weeks, there have been an increasing number of social media posts and press articles about a bill currently passing through Parliament, with which the UK government has the potential to fundamentally change employment rights.The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, which reached report stage and ...
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OpinionJoanne Frew: The impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill
The political landscape has been incredibly unsettled, with three prime ministers in the space of two months. With Rishi Sunak now appointed and warning that the UK faces a profound economic challenge, it will be interesting to see what impact the new government may have on the labour market.All European ...