Insights & News
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Employment Rights Bill unveiled
11 October 2024The much-hyped and long-awaited Employment Rights Bill has finally been published along with a Next Steps paper explaining how Labour is putting its Plan to Make Work Pay into practice. Here’s our take on the Bill and what it means for employers.
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Baby Loss Awareness Week: how to support your employees
11 October 2024Baby Loss Awareness Week will be recognised in the UK from 9 to 15 October 2024. We consider what support can be provided to employees impacted by pregnancy and baby loss.
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Winning the talent war in Hong Kong
09 October 2024The last three years has seen a seismic shift not only in the way employees want to work in Hong Kong but also in the labour pools which are available to employers. Post-covid remote working, an ageing workforce, an exodus of expatriates and Hong Kongers leaving following the implementation of the National Security Law and a general skills shortage means competition in Hong Kong is fierce and employers are having to strategise on how to address the issue of talent and staff retention to remain competitive.
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Are employees in Ireland entitled to an appeal in a redundancy process?
03 October 2024A recent decision from the Workplace Relations Commission in Ireland shines light on the issue of appeals in a redundancy process. We look at what this means for employers and the importance of fair procedures and, in particular, an organisation following its own internal policies and procedures in a redundancy process.
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Beyond borders: Comparative Table of employment law in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
30 September 2024Do you need to stay up-to-date with employment law developments across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland? If so, our updated Comparative Table will be a handy reference guide.
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Two recent cases in Ireland apply new Supreme Court test for determining employment status
27 September 2024In two recent cases, we see how the Workplace Relations Commission in Ireland has applied the new five-step test formulated by the Supreme Court last year for determining employment status. The cases highlight the risks associated with engaging self-employed contractors and the importance of carefully reviewing workplace arrangements to avoid misclassification claims.
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New duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace
26 September 2024We all want to work in a harassment-free environment – but sexual harassment still happens far too often. What can and should employers do to prevent it?
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EHRC finalises guidance on how to prevent sexual harassment
26 September 2024The new legal duty to prevent sexual harassment is “designed to transform workplace cultures”, according to guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission today ahead of the law changing next month. We look at what employers are expected to do to comply.
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Supreme Courts blocks fire and rehire to preserve “permanent” right to enhanced pay
19 September 2024The Supreme Court has granted an injunction in a high-profile trade union challenge to Tesco’s use of fire and rehire against warehouse staff with a contractual entitlement to a permanent financial incentive.
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Supreme Court shows self-employment the red card
18 September 2024Football referees may be employees for tax and NICs purposes, according to this latest ruling on employment status.
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Typhoon trading: Hong Kong Stock Exchange scraps seven-decade practice of suspending stock market trading during typhoons and extreme weather conditions – what this means for financial services employers
12 September 2024Starting from 23 September 2024, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) will allow the trading of stocks and derivatives during extreme weather conditions. Trading during such time will be termed severe weather trading (“SWT”). The move has been made to bolster Hong Kong’s position as an international financial hub. HKEX, brokers and the government will benefit financially if market closure can be avoided during the typhoon season. However, banks and brokerage firms must ensure that their employees’ personal safety is protected if they are required to carry on business as usual in times of adverse weather.
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HK CFI finds investment bank did not breach implied terms of employment contract
10 September 2024In Yang Zhizhong v. Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited, [2024] HKCFI 2192 the Court of First Instance dismissed a claim by a former senior employee for discretionary bonus, unvested bonus awards and wrongful termination.
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Labour’s employment law policy dashboard
06 September 2024What employment law changes should we expect from the new Labour government? Our dashboard breaks down Labour’s plans by topic, explaining what each policy involves and its potential impact.
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New Deal talking points: how is Labour proposing to rebalance “one-sided flexibility”?
06 September 2024The Labour Party has expressed its commitment to ending what it calls “one sided flexibility”. How will its proposals in relation to zero-hour contracts and shift scheduling achieve this?
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Increase in applications received for Hong Kong’s new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme – what it means for employers
04 September 2024The Government launched the new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (new “CIES”) earlier this year, in line with its ongoing efforts to revitalise Hong Kong’s economy.
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Labour Court decides first appeals on European Works Councils operating in Ireland
02 September 2024In the first appeals decided under Ireland’s legislation on European Works Councils, the Labour Court has provided welcome guidance for multinational businesses that moved their European Works Councils to Ireland in light of Brexit.
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Domestic Abuse ‘Safe Leave’– how will it work and what does it mean for employers?
30 August 2024The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has published a public consultation on the framework for the introduction of safe leave for employees experiencing domestic abuse. We review how the Department plans to implement this new right and provide guidance to employers to help them understand and fulfil their obligations.
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Next retail workers win equal pay claims
28 August 2024Next store workers have succeeded in their claims for equal pay after comparing themselves with warehouse workers. What does this mean for other employers, especially if you are in retail?
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Employer discriminated because of pre-employment google search
28 August 2024A recent employment tribunal decision has highlighted the dangers of “googling” a candidate. Although a search might seem easy, risks relating to discrimination and processing of personal data are less straightforward.
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New Deal talking points: New details emerge on Labour’s right to switch off
27 August 2024Reports suggest that the new Labour government is considering introducing the ‘right to switch’ off by way of a code of practice. How might this work in practice? And what can we learn from other countries?