Preparing to return to the workplace: What should German employers be doing?

Stefanie RadinaBy Stefanie Radina on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, Germany

Public life is slowly returning to normality in Germany as stores, restaurants and cafes begin to  reopen. However, a return to ”business as usual“ seems a long way off. Companies and employers need to consider different priorities and complex provisions when preparing the return to the workplace.

In general, employers have a duty to take reasonable care of the health and safety of their employees. They have to assess possible risks to employees’ safety and health and take measures based on this assessment as well as identify and take additional measures where necessary to ensure the workplace is safe.… Continue Reading

Flexible Furlough –Changes to the UK Job Retention Scheme

Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in Coronavirus, UK

On 29 May, the UK Chancellor provided details of the proposed changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The changes require employers to start sharing the cost of the furlough arrangement and allow a more flexible approach to working while on furlough.

New Flexibility

The Government is introducing a more flexible furlough arrangement.  Employers will be able to bring previously furloughed employees back to work part time from 1 July, a month earlier than previously announced.

Employers will have flexibility to determine the hours worked and the shift pattern for their employees. They will then pay the full wages … Continue Reading

UK Pensions: DB Funding Statement 2020: NRF survey gives the Pensions Regulator a thumbs-up

Lesley HarroldBy Lesley Harrold on Posted in UK

DB Funding Statement 2020: NRF survey gives the Pensions Regulator a thumbs-up

Sophy Lelliott, a trainee in our pensions team writes: the UK Pensions Regulator published its annual funding statement later than usual on 30 April 2020. The Statement is aimed at trustees and sponsoring employers of defined benefit (DB) schemes with valuation dates between September 22, 2019, and September 21, 2020. Our previous blog examining its key elements can be viewed here.

On 28 May 2020 Lesley Browning, Phil Jelley and Sabrina English from our London pensions team hosted an interactive webinar discussion focusing on the … Continue Reading

Fin des classes : Aide relative à la pandémie pour les étudiants, les jeunes et les employeurs

Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus

Plusieurs étudiants au Canada comptent sur les emplois d’été pour gagner un revenu entre les sessions d’études secondaires ou postsecondaires. Toutefois, il pourrait s’avérer difficile pour les étudiants qui terminent leurs cours en cette année scolaire de décrocher un emploi stable pendant la saison estivale.

Programme Emplois d’été Canada

Le programme Emplois d’été Canada (EEC) offre des contributions aux employeurs comptant moins de 50 employés afin qu’ils créent des emplois d’été de qualité pour les jeunes âgés de 15 à 30 ans qui sont légalement autorisés à travailler au Canada. La pandémie de COVID-19 a eu des répercussions tant sur … Continue Reading

School’s out for summer: Pandemic assistance for students, youth and employers

Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus

Many students in Canada rely on summer jobs to generate income between semesters of high school or post-secondary education. However, students completing their studies this academic year may find it challenging to secure steady employment during the summer months.

Canada Summer Jobs Program

The Canada Summer Jobs Program (CSJ) program provides subsidies to employers with less than 50 employees in order to create quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30 years, and who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on both CSJ job-seekers and the employers that typically hire … Continue Reading

US: Return to work in an office environment: Employer considerations and best practices

Barbara D'AquilaBy Barbara D'Aquila on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

Many businesses quickly shifted to remote work, where possible, and abandoned operations in an office setting when COVID-19 became a pandemic or when jurisdictions required or encouraged people to stay at home. Now, as these businesses contemplate resuming operations in the general office setting, they are grappling with a myriad of issues and concerns.  See our article COVID-19:  Best practice considerations for resuming work in an office setting for employer considerations for resuming work in the office setting, including advice on determining when to reopen, determining modifications to be made in the workplace, employee communication and training considerations, implementing the … Continue Reading

Licenciements collectifs : considérations pratiques pour les employeurs québécois

Andréanne BrosseauBy Andréanne Brosseau on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus, Québec

Dernièrement, dans le contexte de la COVID-19, certaines entreprises se sont vues contraintes de cesser temporairement ou de réduire substantiellement leurs activités, entraînant ainsi nombre de mises à pied. Alors que des économistes prévoient un ralentissement économique important en raison de la pandémie, les employeurs québécois peuvent légitimement se demander s’ils seront en mesure de rappeler leurs salariés au travail une fois les mesures de confinement levées, voire même être confrontés à la difficile décision de procéder à des licenciements collectifs.

Qu’est-ce qu’un licenciement collectif?

Au Québec, le licenciement collectif est la terminaison d’emploi d’au moins dix (10) salariés d’un … Continue Reading

Les droits religieux et le port des équipements de protection

Marie-Krystel OuelletBy Marie-Krystel Ouellet on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus, Québec

En cette période de pandémie, certains employeurs envisageront l’adoption d’une politique concernant l’utilisation des équipements de protection individuelle, tels que la blouse, les gants, le masque ou encore la protection faciale. L’adoption d’une telle politique peut, pour certaines personnes, avoir pour effet d’opposer leurs droits religieux et leur propre santé et sécurité ou celles des autres travailleurs. Dans une telle situation, est-ce qu’un travailleur peut être exempté de l’application d’une politique obligeant le port de ce genre d’équipements?

L’affaire Singh c Montréal Gateway Terminals Partnership

La Cour d’appel s’est prononcée sur cette question à l’automne dernier dans l’arrêt Singh c. … Continue Reading

Religious rights and wearing protective equipment

Marie-Krystel OuelletBy Marie-Krystel Ouellet on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus, Québec

During this pandemic, certain employers will consider adopting a policy on using personal protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves, masks or even facial protection. For certain people, adopting such a policy may have the effect of encroaching on their religious rights and protecting their own health and safety or that of other workers. In such a situation, can a worker be exempted from a policy requiring that this type of gear be worn?

Singh c Montréal Gateway Terminals Partnership

The Quebec Court of Appeal rendered its ruling on this matter last fall in Singh c. Montréal Gateway Terminals Partnership[1]… Continue Reading

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