Topic: UK

UK Pensions: Use of reasonable [en]force[ment] – unnerving for those on the receiving end?

By Julia Chirnside on May 19, 2022 Posted in General, UK

Speaking to banking colleagues recently about what the Pensions Regulator’s stronger powers mean for them reminded me just how much turns on the Regulator’s view of what is reasonable. There has been a great deal of discussion about the wide range of circumstances in which the Regulator could use its various powers (what the Regulator … Continue reading

The Employment proposals in the Queen’s Speech: Absence of the Employment Bill

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on May 16, 2022 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

On 10 May at the State Opening of Parliament, the legislative intention of the Government for the next parliamentary session was set out in the Queen’s Speech. Despite the speech containing proposals for 38 new laws, the long awaited Employment Bill was omitted. The Employment Bill, which was first proposed in 2019, was intended to … Continue reading

UK: New guidance for employers on living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on April 21, 2022 Posted in Coronavirus, UK

On April 1st, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued guidance for employers on living safely and reducing the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 to replace the previous ‘Working Safely Guidance’ after the relaxing of COVID-19 measures in the UK. The guidance outlines ways employers can aim to reduce the spread of respiratory … Continue reading

Global Employment Law – The Decline (and Fall?) of the Five-Day Workweek – Transforming Workplace -#14

By Jason Noakes on April 19, 2022 Posted in Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Middle East, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK, United States, Venezuela

In our previous article in the Transforming Workplace series we outlined the benefits of short-term “work from anywhere”. In this article, we focus on the advantages of introducing flexible hours and days. The Decline (and Fall?) of the Five-Day Workweek This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Work From Anywhere: Short Term – Transforming Workplace -#13

In our previous articles in the Transforming Workplace series we examined the challenges of “work from anywhere”. In this article, we consider the best options for introducing “work from anywhere” on a short-term basis in your organisation. Work from Anywhere: Short-Term This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, … Continue reading

UK Pensions: Is nature next on the governance agenda for pension schemes?

By Sophy Lelliott on April 8, 2022 Posted in UK

As many trustees begin to finally get to grips with the requirement to align their management and reporting of climate-related risks and opportunities with the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, they may have to find a little bit more room on the governance agenda. Speaking at the PLSA ESG Conference 2022, the Co-Chair … Continue reading

UK: Changes in employment law current rates and limits

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on April 7, 2022 Posted in General, UK

April 2022 marks the annual increase in the current statutory payments and other employment limits, employers should ensure they are aware of these changes and make adjustments where appropriate. From April 2022, there will be increases to statutory payments for time off work: Maternity and adoption pay at the maximum prescribed rate will be increasing … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Work From Anywhere: Benefits & Challenges – Transforming Workplace -#12

In our previous article in the Transforming Workplace series we examined the hybrid model of work. In this article we discuss the benefits and challenges of “work from anywhere”, including on a hybrid work mode. Work From Anywhere: Benefits & Challenges This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Work from anywhere: Hybrid model – Transforming Workplace -#11

Our previous articles in the Transforming Workplace series discussed some of the important issues relating to the worldwide trend of working from anywhere. In this article we examine the hybrid workplace, where employees combine some level of “work from anywhere” with some time attending their worksite. Work from anywhere: Hybrid model This article is part … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Work from anywhere: Does it suit everyone?- Transforming Workplace – #10

We considered the growth in the number of employees ‘working from anywhere’ in our previous articles in the Transforming Workplace series. In this article we focus on suitability – does “work from anywhere” suit all jobs, all countries, and all employees? Work from anywhere: Does it suit everyone? This article is part of our Transforming … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Work from anywhere: Does location matter? – Transforming Workplace – #9

Our previous article in our Transforming Workplace series noted that “work from home” becomes “work from anywhere” when employees home to a more remote location further away from their pre-pandemic worksite. This article looks at some of the issues the change in location can have ifworkers “work from anywhere”. Work from anywhere: Does location matter? … Continue reading

Global Employment Law : Work from home becomes work from anywhere – Transforming Workplace -#8

This article in our Transforming Workplace series is the first in a series examining employees “working from anywhere” – an important issue facing organisations worldwide. Work from home becomes work from anywhere This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, challenges and risk of the transforming workplace can be … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Leadership Reimagined -Transforming Workplace – #7

In the previous article in our series “Transforming Workplace” we considered the challenges to the employer’s organisational culture that will result from changed employee expectations and from modernising your Employee Value Proposition. In this article we look at how these enhancements to your organisational culture will challenge the capability and style of your leadership team. … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: How the Gig Economy is reshaping labour markets

On 24 March 2022, Maartje Govaert, Global Head of Employment and Labour, joined the panel for the JP Morgan virtual Global ESG Conference, discussing “How the Gig Economy is reshaping labour markets: Exploring ESG Risks and Opportunities”. Below is a summary of some of the points raised by Maartje in the discussion. What is the … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Organisational Culture Reimagined – Transforming Workplace #6

In the series of Transforming Workplace articles we have explored some significant changes to the external and internal environments in which an organisation operates. In this article we look at how modernising your Employee Value Proposition will present challenges to your organisational culture. Organisational Culture Reimagined This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: Update and Modernise Your Employee Value Proposition Transforming Workplace #5

Asking your employees what they want and need (see our previous Transforming Workplace paper) is a vital part of updating your organisation’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP). In this article we explain more about your EVP. Update and Modernise Your Employee Value Proposition. This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: What do your employees want and need? Transforming Workplace #4

By Jason Noakes and Jeff Landmann on March 30, 2022 Posted in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Contracts, Europe, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK, United States, Venezuela

During the pandemic, employees rethought their relationship with work. Employees now seek roles that offer competitive remuneration with other benefits including flexibility, health, well-being and work-life balance. Read more on this in our next article in the Transforming Workplace series. What do your employees want and need? This article is part of our Transforming Workplace … Continue reading

Global Employment Law: The “Great Enlightenment”: Why and how employees have rethought their relationship with work. Transforming Workplace #3

By Jason Noakes and Jeff Landmann on March 28, 2022 Posted in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Contracts, Europe, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK, United States, Venezuela

In the next in the Transforming Workplace global series we examine why and owe employees have rethought their relationship with work. The “Great Enlightenment”: Why and how employees have rethought their relationship with work This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, challenges and risk of the transforming workplace … Continue reading

Global Employment Law – “Intent to Resign”: The Real Risk Transforming Workplace #2

By Jason Noakes and Jeff Landmann on March 28, 2022 Posted in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Europe, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK, United States, Venezuela

In the next in the Transforming Workplace global series we examine the looming “Intent to Resign” challenge facing businesses worldwide “Intent to Resign”: The Real Risk This article is part of our Transforming Workplace series. Other articles exploring the opportunities, challenges and risk of the transforming workplace can be found here.… Continue reading

Global Employment Law: The “Great Resignation”: A Global Risk? Transforming Workplace – #1

By Jason Noakes and Jeff Landmann on March 28, 2022 Posted in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, The Netherlands, UK, United States

With the global change in the way we work seen as a key element of the new “business as usual”, our Transforming Workplace global series examines the global perspectives of the opportunities, challenges and risks of this new transforming workplace. In the first in this series we examine the concept of the “Great Resignation”. The … Continue reading

UK Pensions | Rethinking Notifiable Events

By Lesley Browning on March 17, 2022 Posted in UK

Given that April 6, 2022 was the date set out in the new draft notifiable events regulations it seems distinctly odd that there has been complete silence since the consultation closed last October. I am hoping the silence is down to legislators having a long hard think about whether the drafting is fit for purpose … Continue reading

Steps for Employers after the ending of COVID-19 restrictions

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on February 28, 2022 Posted in Coronavirus, UK

On 21 February 2022, the UK Government announced its plan to end remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England. These include, from 24 February, the removal of the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test; and the requirement to wear face-coverings in public spaces and on public transport; and, from 1 April, the withdrawal of free … Continue reading

All Change for Right to Work Checks

By Aida Geragusian on February 28, 2022 Posted in General, UK

The Home Office has released updated guidance on right to work checks, to reflect changes which are due to come into effect, from 6 April 2022. Rights to work checks From 6 April, employers will no longer be able to carry out manual right to work checks for employees/candidates who are biometric card holders. Instead … Continue reading

UK Pensions: Maximising your chances of recovering accidental overpayments: the state of play

By Julia Chirnside on February 24, 2022 Posted in UK

2021 saw a number of Pensions Ombudsman decisions on reclaiming overpaid benefits. The direction of travel was decidedly member-friendly. I’m left wondering what schemes can do to improve the odds of being able to recover excess payments. What can stop a scheme from reclaiming overpayments? If benefits are overpaid, the starting point is that trustees … Continue reading