HR Articles

Scottish brewer and pub-chain BrewDog has received a scathing open letter from former employees alleging there was a toxic work culture at the company, where staff were fearful of speaking out about concerns. The open letter from former staff members complained of a culture which gave weight to sexist and misogynistic brewers, of having genuine safety concerns and being pressured into working beyond their capacity, of fearing their mistakes could get them fired and of those in positions of power feeling enabled to act in a toxic manner.  

The past year has seen a significant increase in the amount of homeworking taking place. Before the pandemic, around 5% of those in employment worked from home, whereas during the pandemic this number increased to around 43% of workers.  

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that in July 2020, 86% of individual’s working remotely, were doing so due to COVID-19. With businesses now welcoming staff back to the office, it is a prudent time to reflect on some positive working practices adopted in the last 15 months that can continue to benefit your business moving forward. 

The UK government has confirmed that the rights of EU citizens living in the UK will remain the same until 30^th June 2021. The Home Office has rolled out the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS/the Scheme), giving EU citizens (who started living in the UK before 31^st December 2020) pre-settled status (the right to live in the UK for 5 years) or settled status (the right to remain indefinitely in the UK).

As pandemic-related government support for businesses starts to taper from the end of this month and with flexible furlough due to end altogether at the end of September, employers in some sectors will face difficult decisions impacting their workforce, including possible restructures and redundancies.

While the Government grapples with whether to continue with the planned final easing of lockdown restrictions on 21 June 2021, employers are continuing with their preparations to welcome employees (at least partially) back to the workplace.

Russell Dann comments in Personal Today on the omission of the long-awaited Employment Bill in this year’s Queen’s Speech.

Whistleblowers are in the headlines following the Dyson report into the Panorama interview in 1995 with the Diana, Princess of Wales. Lord Dyson found that Martin Bashir had acted deceitfully in the way he obtained the interview with the Princess of Wales.  

The Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa was opened to BNO Passport holders (and their family members) from Hong Kong earlier this year. The route normally requires an application for entry clearance from outside the UK. However, since its announcement, the UK Government has allowed applicants to seek ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ at a UK Border. This concession has now been extended until 21 June 2021. 

Since the launch of the Health and Care visa in August 2020, more than 20,000 individuals have been granted with a visa for the UK under this category.