In an effort to ramp up workplace testing for Covid-19, the Government has recently announced that businesses, which are open during lockdown and employ more than 50 employees, are entitled to order rapid lateral flow tests. These tests produce results within 30 minutes. Previously, only businesses with more than 250 employees qualified for this type […]

Following the first national lockdown that was implemented by the UK Government on 23 March 2020, employees across the nation set up workspaces in spare rooms, kitchens and on dining room tables as they began (many for the very first time) working from home. As we approach the anniversary of that first lockdown and still […]

On Monday 25 January 2021, the Treasury exercised its powers under sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 to issue a new Treasury Direction in relation to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Scheme). In effect, the purpose of the new Direction is to confirm that that the Scheme is extended until 30 April […]

In December 2020 the Jersey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal (Tribunal) gave a judgment in the case between Mr Hague-Holmes (Claimant) and PG Plumbing (2014) Limited (Respondent). This is thought to be the first judgment of a court or tribunal within the United Kingdom and its surrounding British Crown Dependencies, which relates to the wage subsidies […]

This month, the obligations to wear face coverings in the UK have been under renewed focus. The Government has announced that it will be taking more robust action against anyone caught refusing to wear a mask. Supermarket giants including Asda, Morrisons and Tesco have declared that they will deny entry to customers who are not […]

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Scheme) has been extended to 30 April 2021. HM Revenue & Customs have recently updated their guidance (yet again) to confirm that employers may legitimately place employees who have been affected by COVID-19 (or any other conditions) on furlough. The guidance provides that, as well as employees who have caring […]

Even before 2020, employment tribunal (ET) proceedings were beset with delay as a consequence of years of under-resourcing, and it was often the case that a claim would not reach a final hearing for as much as a year from the date of issue. Unsurprisingly, this state of affairs has been significantly exacerbated by the […]

Following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that individuals considered clinically extremely vulnerable should begin to shield again and with the majority of schools closed for all those accept vulnerable children and those of key workers, there is likely to be an increase in the use of dependant leave by employees with caring responsibilities. Under Section […]

The Prime Minister has announced that from 5 January 2021 all schools in England would be closed, save for vulnerable children and children of key workers. This means a lot of parents and carers will once again have to juggle childcare, home learning and working, whether from home or not. In light of this, The […]

On 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister announced that the United Kingdom would once again, enter a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. The Government has requested that everyone should follow the new rules from now and confirmed that they will become […]

The Chancellor announced yesterday afternoon that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Scheme), which you will recall was due to end once and for all at the end of March 2021, will instead be further extended until 30 April 2021. The previous last-minute extension announced at the end of October led to numerous complaints from employers […]

There has been much excitement over the last few weeks following the commencement of mass vaccinations against Covid-19. Whilst this undoubtedly represents a positive development for the nation as a whole, the beginning of the UK-wide vaccination process has the potential to create a number of issues in the workplace, which employers will need to […]