Insights & News
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Rise of the digital nomads: travelling freely? Amy Nevins writes for PLC magazine
Press
03 September 2024We continue to see employees wanting to work remotely from abroad (either on a temporary or permanent basis) and there has been a recent rise in “digital nomads” - individuals who work in a different country to where their employer is based. These working arrangements present a number of legal challenges for employers.
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Rayner’s right to switch off has bosses terrified - James Davies comments for The Telegraph
Press
30 August 2024Confusion reigns as British businesses fear hefty fines if they fall foul of new rules.
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Linda Hynes comments on Labour’s plans to introduce the right to disconnect for People Management
Press
23 August 2024The new government has pledged to introduce a ‘right to switch off’, similar to that introduced in Ireland in 2021. Linda Hynes of the Lewis Silkin Ireland office comments on this for People Management.
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Companies urged to sack underperforming staff ahead of Labour’s overhaul of workers’ rights - James Davies comments for The Telegraph
Press
01 August 2024Lawyers have been advising their clients to take action in anticipation of the Government’s incoming Employment Bill, which is expected to include awarding workers’ full rights from day one. James Davies explains why companies should be reviewing probationary periods for new hires.
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Lewis Silkin engages stakeholders for the transformative “Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill” Consultation – Paul Gillen writes for Solicitors Journal
Press
08 July 2024On Monday 1st July, the Department for Economy of Northern Ireland launched the “Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill”. Paul Gillen comments on the initiative and encourages stakeholder engagement to ensure a constructive response to the consultation.
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While remote workers may be out of sight, they shouldn’t be out of mind – Emma Grossmith comments for Sync NI
Press
04 July 2024The world of work has never been more fluid. It’s easy to out-source projects to a consultant on the other side of the world, or let a valued colleague work from home but beware, there are some serious legal issues you need to think about if you’re hiring a remote worker, or engaging in remote-working for current staff.
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AI will become discussion in every facet of the workplace, Linda Hynes write for Sync NI
Press
01 July 2024Linda Hynes shares opinions surrounding the EU AI Act, and how employers should ensure to use best practice when using AI programming in the job selection process.
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Employee undergoing IVF feels sidelined after seeking support from management – Catherine Hayes comments for the Irish Times on the various employment issues to consider and how best to proceed
Press
13 June 2024Over recent years efforts have been made to make the workplace more family friendly and support for those going through IVF has increased. However, some worry that being too truthful about what they’re going through can have unintended consequences. Catherine Hayes comments on how best to proceed and employment law considerations.
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Views sought on ‘gaps’ in equality legislation in Northern Ireland - Ciara Fulton comments for Irish Legal News
Press
13 June 2024The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office is undertaking an inquiry into differences in equality legislation between Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, which will run until 6 September 2024.
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Catherine Hayes and Sinead Likely comment on what the new right to request remote and flexible working means for employers for Retail News
Press
21 May 2024Following the recent introduction of the right to request remote and flexible working arrangements and guidance for employers published by the WRC, Catherine Hayes and Sinead Likely look at what the Code of Practice says, and some of the key takeaways employers need to know.
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Accounting for climate change in flexible working requests - Jonathan Carr and Gemma Taylor write for Law360
Press
03 May 2024The UK recently strengthened its flexible working laws to encourage more flexible and remote working. Should employers give greater weight to the climate when deciding whether to say "yes" or "no" to such requests?
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More than seven-in-ten of the global workforce is currently exposed to risks linked to climate change - Jonathan Carr comments for The International Employment Lawyer
Press
24 April 2024A new report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has found that more than seven-in-ten of the global workforce is currently exposed to risks linked to climate change. Jonathan Carr comments for the IEL on the current health and safety obligations, and how they may change as the effects of climate change present new difficulties.
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Irish employers take time to promote mental wellbeing of staff - Linda Hynes comments for the Irish Examiner
Press
19 April 2024In observance of Stress Awareness Month, Linda Hynes shares insights with the Irish Examiner on fostering employee wellbeing as a top business priority
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APAC workers seek accommodations for virtual meetings - Catherine Leung comments for the The International Employment Lawyer
Press
17 April 2024Employees of international organisations in Asia may be all too familiar with the 10pm global team call with ‘Asia updates’ often coming last and latest on the meeting agenda. This is reflected in the findings of a new research study which reveals that Asia-Pacific-based workers increasingly feel overlooked and excluded from their global teams. But Lewis Silkin’s Catherine Leung finds a positive spin on these findings.
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Does Britain risk becoming ‘couch potato nation’ under flexible working rules? - James Davies comments for The Telegraph
Press
10 April 2024New measures fuel fears that working from home will become entrenched.
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Why do employment rights in Northern Ireland need to catch up with the rest of the UK? - Paul Gillen comments for the Belfast Telegraph
Press
09 April 2024Paul Gillen discusses why employment rights in Northern Ireland need to catch up with the rest of the UK.
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Workplace neurodiversity claims spur companies to seek legal help - Michael Burd comments for The Financial Times
Press
02 April 2024Organisations are increasingly struggling with the issue of staff members disclosing neurodiverse conditions that might help explain problems relating to concerns about employee performance. In this article, Michael Burd highlights the tension between the need to accommodate neurodivergence and the conventional norms around how people behave at work.
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Non-disclosure agreements in employment – James Davies writes for Solicitors Journal
Press
18 March 2024Following the publication of the Legal Services Board’s report on the call for evidence on the misuse of non-disclosure agreements, James Davies looks at the submissions related to employment and the provision of inadequate legal advice
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Workers' fight for the right to work remotely may have resulted in a hollow victory - Síobhra Rush comments for the Irish Independent
Press
11 March 2024The government's announcement means there are now penalties for those who do not follow very specific and detailed rules. Síobhra Rush explains why the law will make a bigger difference to employees at medium-sized and smaller firms.
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The government has brought the right to request remote working in operation - Síobhra Rush comments for Today FM
Press
11 March 2024Síobhra joins Matt Cooper to outline the key considerations around the new law, for both employers and employees.