Topic: Uncategorized

The UK proposes a new points based immigration system

On 19 February 2020 the UK Government published its policy statement setting out its proposals for a new points-based immigration system. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, free movement of workers will cease and all EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally from 1 January 2021. The Government will introduce a new immigration … Continue reading

UK: An employer’s duty to its employees in the context of Coronavirus

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on February 11, 2020 Posted in Contracts, Coronavirus, General, UK, Uncategorized

The World Health Organisation has declared that the Coronavirus is a public health emergency of international concern and the first reported cases have appeared in the UK. What steps should employers be taking in relation to their employees? Travel to affected areas Employers owe a duty of care to their employees to take reasonable steps … Continue reading

A new immigration landscape: Migration Advisory Committee Recommendations

By Lauren Pullen-Stanley (UK) and Aida Geragusian on February 10, 2020 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its widely anticipated report on 28 January 2020, setting out its recommendations for a new UK immigration system to be launched in time for the end of free movement of people on 31 December 2020. The Government will be considering the recommendations in the context of its Immigration Bill, expected … Continue reading

UK set to introduce ‘world first’ right to two weeks’ parental bereavement leave

By Joanna MacKenzie on January 28, 2020 Posted in Contracts, General, UK, Uncategorized

The UK Government has announced that a new right to two weeks’ parental bereavement will come into force from 6 April 2020. The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Regulations (which have been laid before Parliament and are awaiting final approval) implement a statutory right to a minimum of two weeks unpaid leave for all employed … Continue reading

Upcoming Employment Law Changes in 2020

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on January 7, 2020 Posted in Contracts, General, UK, Uncategorized

As we start the new year with a new Government in the UK, we consider the important employment law changes that will, or may, come into effect in 2020. New right to a written statement of terms Currently, employees who have been continuously employed for more than one month must be provided with a written … Continue reading

Supreme Court awards employee compensation amounting to 5% of the revenue of outstandingly profitable patent in Shanks v Unilever

By Lauren Pullen-Stanley (UK) and Seiko Hidaka on December 2, 2019 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

The ownership of a company’s intellectual property is a sensitive subject for many companies. A recent case considered the compensation an employee may be entitled to under the Patents Act 1977 where the patents are held to be of outstanding benefit to the employer. As it is often a company’s employees who create intellectual property, … Continue reading

Right to work in the UK and requests for evidence

By Lauren Pullen-Stanley (UK) on November 20, 2019 Posted in Discrimination and harassment, UK, Uncategorized

A recent UK case considered whether an employer acted reasonably in requiring an employee, who was not a national of the European Economic Area (EEA), married to an EEA national, to produce documentation to show his right to work in the UK. In the UK: 1) it is illegal to for an employer in the … Continue reading

Legal advice privilege in employment

By Amanda Sanders (UK) and Nick Howard on October 25, 2019 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

A recent decision in the UK Court of Appeal has provided guidance in the area of privilege in employment claims. In Curless v Shell International Ltd, the Court of Appeal had to consider whether legal advice privilege should be disapplied to an email on the basis that the advice fell within the “iniquity principle”. Legal … Continue reading

New fast track visa to cement the UK as a science superpower

By Lauren Pullen-Stanley (UK) and Aida Geragusian on August 14, 2019 Posted in UK, Uncategorized

The Home Office has announced a new fast-track immigration offer for individuals with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. The scheme will provide a three-year visa, during which the individual can come and go from the UK at will. Following the three year period, those on the scheme can apply for indefinite … Continue reading

Why sacking senior executives is a risky business

By Samantha Maddern on July 18, 2019 Posted in Asia Pacific, Australia, Uncategorized

Since the enactment of the ‘adverse action’ provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) some 10 years ago, it is far more difficult for an employer to lawfully dismiss an executive or senior manager. Why? Because adverse action claims: are relatively easy to bring; can include compensation for hurt, distress and humiliation … Continue reading

Migration Advisory Committee asked to review salary threshold by UK Government

By Amanda Sanders (UK), Lauren Pullen-Stanley (UK) and Aida Geragusian on July 4, 2019 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

The Home Secretary has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review future salary thresholds for the new immigration system which is due to come into force in January 2021. As we mentioned in our blog post- The immigration white paper – what will it mean for the UK’s future immigration system? December 2018 – … Continue reading

UK Employment law changes April 2019

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on March 29, 2019 Posted in General, UK, Uncategorized

Despite Brexit dominating the headlines there are several key changes to employment law coming into force in April 2019. Extension of itemised pay statements to workers, not just employees – 6 April 2019 Currently, only employees are required to be given an itemised pay statement. From 6 April the Employment Rights Act (Itemised Pay … Continue reading

Brexit – English Soccer and dispute over foreign players

By Nick Howard on November 23, 2018 Posted in UK, Uncategorized

Another interesting and unforeseen consequence of Brexit is the power struggle that has been triggered between the Premier League and the FA in relation to post Brexit quotas for “home grown” players and the visa requirements for overseas players. The FA is seeking to use Brexit as an opportunity to boost the longer term health … Continue reading

Corporate Governance Reform – new disclosure requirements

By Amanda Sanders (UK) on June 22, 2018 Posted in UK, Uncategorized

Following on from it proposals for reform, which we reported on at the end of last year (Corporate Governance Proposals), the UK Government has now published draft regulations, (the draft Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018) . The draft regulations will implement some of the proposals, in particular in relation to holding larger companies to account … Continue reading

Norton Rose Fulbright’s online guide to global employment law is now available

By Sally Woodward and Joanna MacKenzie on February 15, 2018 Posted in Asia Pacific, Contracts, Data privacy and GDPR, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, South Africa, Uncategorized, United States, Whistleblowing

More and more organisations are growing their global footprint and need to move their people around the world. In this global environment, it is essential to know, understand and comply with employment and labour laws in place across all of the jurisdictions in which organisations engage people. This will help to protect business from unnecessary … Continue reading