The forthcoming general election is set to be one of the most contested electoral battles in recent history.  Opinion polls, which are currently showing a huge leap in support for the Liberal Democrats, have only served to increase speculation that the election may return a hung parliament... read more

The new financial year has arrived and with it many employers reach their contractual or usual pay review time. Most employers with a contractual obligation to review pay do not also have a contractual obligation to increase it. For some businesses, pay increases are impossible this year and... read more

The Icelandic volcano has left tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad, as a result many employees have failed to turn up for work – leaving bosses with a dilemma!  With flights across Europe still grounded, should they be forced to pay staff who are stuck abroad? There is no case... read more

It has recently been reported that the Home Office has agreed to limit the information passed on to employers, as a result of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), following concerns raised by Sunita Mason, the Government’s new watchdog on criminal records. The VBS introduces stronger... read more

It has been reported that draft legislation has been passed by a committee of the European Parliament, which extends maternity leave across Europe from 14 weeks to 20 weeks on full pay. In the UK women get 52 weeks statutory maternity leave (26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 Additional... read more

The recent media controversy about Gordon Brown’s alleged bullying of staff at Number 10 Downing Street has thrown the spotlight on an important issue for every employer: how to deal with bullying in the workplace? The two main forms of workplace abuse are harassment and bullying. Generally... read more

John Terry’s alleged affair with the girlfriend of his England team mate, Wayne Bridge, has dominated media reports in recent weeks and has resulted in him being stripped of his role as Captain of the England Squad. There have been opposing opinions on the action taken by the England Manager... read more

The Department of Work and Pensions has published guidance to help employers use the new fit note and assist more staff to return to work following periods of ill health. The guidance has been published after extensive consultation with medical representatives and business groups and is... read more

The UK Pensions Regulator itself seems to think not and with good reason. It has been reported today that it is claiming up to £2.1 billion from Nortel Networks Limited, the Canadian communications company which has a UK subsidiary - Nortel Networks UK Limited - with a final salary occupational... read more

An employment tribunal has held that employees should be allowed to carry over annual leave entitlement to the next year when they have been too ill to take it. This is the first employment tribunal to look at paid holiday and sick leave since two major decisions from the European Court of... read more