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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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Lewis Silkin launches groundbreaking parental leave policy
Press Release
06 March 2024Lewis Silkin has today announced the launch of its newly enhanced parental leave policy.
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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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Ramadan and the workplace
Inbrief
06 March 2024During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, practising Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset for a period of 30 days. This InBrief looks at considerations for employers during Ramadan and how they can support their staff.
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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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UK watchdog warns against biometric monitoring of staff – Alexander Milner-Smith and Bryony Long comment for International Employment Lawyer
Press
28 February 2024The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has warned that using biometrics to monitor employee movements may be in breach of data protection regulations, amid heightening fears for workers’ privacy rights.
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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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Liam Egan comments on the importance of registering trade marks for RTE News
Press
26 February 2024Following the ruling of an Irish company that makes jeans to stop using the Diesel trade mark, this article explores the basics of the law and gives important advice from trade mark attorney, Liam Egan, for Irish businesses to be aware of.
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ICO bans Serco Leisure's use of facial recognition for employee attendance - Bryony Long comments for Infosecurity Magazine
Press
26 February 2024Serco Leisure has been ordered to stop using facial recognition technology (FRT) and fingerprint scanning to monitor employee attendance by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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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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Lewis Silkin has advised Banijay UK on its investment in Immovable Studios, co-founded by Akala and Chanelle Newman
Deal
23 February 2024Lewis Silkin has advised Banijay UK on taking a minority stake in Immovable Studios, co-founded by British hip-hop artist, author and social entrepreneur Akala and his business partner and talent manager Chanelle Newman.
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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 HQ move FAQ – Tom Merrick comments for Estates Gazette
Press
22 February 2024The use of office space has changed dramatically. Economic and political pressures have forced many businesses to re-evaluate their strategies and adapt to hybrid working models.
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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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Lewis Silkin has advised the shareholders of DriveRight Data on its sale to Infopro Digital
Deal
20 February 2024The shareholders of DriveRight Data, a global leader in tyre and wheel data solutions have completed its sale to Infopro Digital, a leading provider of business-to-business information services.
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New Remuneration Code - For investment firms regulated under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive
Inbrief
20 February 2024Since the 2007/08 financial crisis, as a result of both UK government and European initiatives, the financial services industry has been the focus of wide-ranging reform. A key aim of this reform is to align remuneration principles in the various sectors within financial services with a view to ensuring that policies and practices promote, and are consistent with, effective risk management.