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New Immigration Rules radically reform Skilled Worker route
14 March 2024This is the biggest reform of UK work routes since Brexit. The clear message from Government is that net migration must be reduced. Most changes affect Skilled Workers and come into force on 4 April 2024, however other work routes are also affected.
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Platform Workers Directive Suddenly Passed
12 March 2024The long-promised, interminably-debated and much-amended EU Platform Workers Directive has been passed. The final version delegates key decisions on who is a platform worker to the Member States, while strengthening controls over automated decision making and the need for human involvement in decisions affecting workers.
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AI 101: An Introduction
Podcast
12 March 2024Listen here for the first in our series of podcasts on all things AI in which we’re exploring the key legal issues arising from this hot topic.
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Unveiling the Struggles of Hong Kong’s Invisible Workforce
12 March 2024According to government statistics as of 2022, there are more than 338,000 foreign domestic workers (“FDWs”) in Hong Kong, which accounts for almost 5% of Hong Kong’s population. Nearly 10% of households in Hong Kong depend on FDWs for housekeeping and to look after their family members. As such, FDWs are more than just employees; they are the backbone of many households. However, despite the significant role they play in our society, FDWs face a myriad of challenges. This article explores the legal and social challenges they must navigate.
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In-House Employment Lawyers Coffee Break: Episode 5 - Controversial beliefs in the workplace and statutory guidance on fire and rehire
Podcast
08 March 2024Listen here for the latest developments and essential practical takeaways (short enough to fit into a 10-minute coffee break!). Lawyers from our IHELC team will discuss key developments in employment law with our usual pragmatism and insight, a touch of humour and a sharp focus on the in-house lawyer’s perspective.
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Budget 2024: Into the Chocolate Factory
07 March 2024“There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination!” So sang Willy Wonka, in both his Gene Wilder and Timothee Chalamet incarnations – I have no idea about the Johnny Depp version, that one looked terrifying to me. And the Chancellor seems to have been infected with the same Wonkaesque, starry-eyed enthusiasm.
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Remote working requests: frequently asked questions
07 March 2024As organisational and workforce attitudes to office attendance continue to shift, where are we with the law on remote working requests?
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Right to request remote and flexible working comes into operation today
07 March 2024The Government has today brought the right to request remote and flexible work arrangements into operation, and the long-awaited Code of Practice for employers and employees on the right to request remote and flexible work arrangements has finally been published by the WRC. This means all employees now have the right to request remote working. Parents and carers also now have the right to request flexible working. Here’s our summary of what Code of Practice says, and the key takeaways employers need to know.
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Varying a worldwide freezing order: timely collaboration and transparency is key – Lewis Silkin advises successful respondent
07 March 2024An attempt to vary a £88m worldwide freezing order to permit the sale of a significant London property was successfully resisted recently by the Claimant, represented by Lewis Silkin. We explore the issues arising in the recent High Court judgment, which confirmed the importance of timely collaboration and transparency when considering the variation of a freezing order.
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ICO publishes new guidance on content moderation obligations
06 March 2024On 16 February 2024, the ICO published new guidance on the interplay between content moderation obligations and data protection (“the Guidance”). This is the ICO’s first guidance on content moderation and outlines how data protection law applies to content moderation processes under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) and the possible impacts on people’s information rights.
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ICO publishes new Tech Horizons Report
05 March 2024On 9 February 2024, the ICO published a new Tech Horizons Report, which highlights eight emerging technologies that the ICO considers may have a particularly significant impact on society, the economy and information rights in the next two to seven years.
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New Code of Practice published on fire and rehire
29 February 2024The government has published new statutory guidance which warns that ‘fire and rehire’ should only be used to change employees’ terms and conditions as “a last resort” and urges employers to first engage in thorough and open information and consultation processes.
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UK Migration Advisory Committee reports on new Immigration Salary List
29 February 2024Only 21 occupations are recommended for inclusion on the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), which will replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for the Skilled Worker route from 4 April 2024. Employers may find that this, combined with the increased minimum salary thresholds will significantly reduce the size of the eligible talent pool for sponsorship of overseas workers.
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Apply now for UK work visas before minimum salary jump on 4 April
29 February 2024From 4 April 2024 many people who would qualify now, will not be able to get a Skilled Worker visa. Hefty increases to the occupation-based ‘going rate’ salary thresholds and the new general salary threshold of £38,700 will impact a vast number of would-be applicants. Employers should urgently review potential applicants to submit applications now and avoid disappointment in the near future.
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New flexible working rules: a flowchart
28 February 2024Flexible working laws are changing in April. Our flowchart shows the new process.
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Home Office reconfirms Ukraine Schemes do not lead to settlement
27 February 2024New Immigration Rules laid on 19 February 2024 have made immediate changes to the Ukraine Schemes, including closing the Ukraine Family Scheme. A separate announcement reconfirms that the Ukraine Schemes do not lead to settlement, but that an 18-month extension will be available for scheme participants from early 2025. Participants wishing to settle in the UK should urgently review their options ahead of restrictions to work and partner routes being implemented in March and April 2024.
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Difference between UK consumer laws including DMCC Bill and equivalent EU laws
23 February 2024This note sets out the key differences in consumer law between UK and EU consumer laws. This includes, for the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, SI 2008/1277 (CPR) and proposed changes under the DMCC Bill which is currently passing through the parliamentary process. For the EU it includes the Omnibus Directive (EU) 2019/2161, the Sale of Goods Directive (EU) 2019/771 and the Digital Content Directive (EU) 2019/770 (DCD) which have become law in EEA member states since the UK left the EU.
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New Immigration Rules place greater restrictions on care workers
22 February 2024From 11 March 2024 care providers in England cannot sponsor new care workers under the Skilled Worker route unless they are registered with the Care Quality Commission. From the same date, newly sponsored carers can no longer bring their family members to the UK.
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The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: first changes set to be introduced
22 February 2024The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and introduces several changes which are intended to prevent abuse of UK corporate structures and reduce economic crime. ECCTA will come into force in stages and it is anticipated that the first changes will be introduced on 4 March 2024 (although this date is dependent on parliamentary timetables).
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White Paper consultation response: regulating AI in the workplace
20 February 2024In March 2023 the government published its White Paper on AI regulation. In less than a year, development in the field has been rapid, with regulators and legislators chasing to keep up. The government has now published its response to the consultation on the White Paper. We focus on what this tells us about future regulation for the use of AI in the workplace.