HR Articles

We reported last year (Apprenticeship levy update) on the government’s plans to introduce an apprenticeship levy of 0.5% for all employers with a total annual payroll bill in excess of £3m. The start date for the new scheme, (6 April 2017), is almost upon us which has prompted the government to publish guidance on how the levy will actually work in practice.

Last week the Government responded to calls from MPs on the Woman and Equalities Committee to give pregnant women and mothers greater legal protection in the workplace.

In Davies v Droylsden Academy, the claimant was a lettings manager at a company which provided property services to Droylsden Academy.

In Stratford v Auto Trail VR Ltd the EAT found a dismissal to be fair despite the employer’s reliance on earlier expired warnings.

The Immigration, Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 (“IANA 2006”), makes employers responsible for preventing illegal working in the UK.

It has long been recognised that migrant domestic workers are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. The nature of abuse may span from minor breaches of employment and health and safety law, to physical and sexual violence, slavery, forced labour and trafficking.

A House of Commons Joint Committee report examining workplace dress codes has been published.

Trade unions can be recognised in the workplace either voluntarily (which is most common) or following a statutory application by a trade union.

As expected the Government has extended the requirement to publish annual gender pay gap reports to the public sector.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Government’s appeal by a majority 8-3 and ruled that the process to leave the EU must be authorised by an Act of Parliament.