Insights & News

Employee ordered to pay over £500,000 in legal costs in a dispute involving breach of restrictive covenants and data privacy

24 May 2019

Following a trial in the High Court where an employer was successfully awarded final injunctions to prohibit a former employee from breaching post-termination restrictions (“PTRs”), the losing employee was ordered to pay 90% of his former employer’s legal bill.

Karen Baxter comments for The Telegraph: The toxic legacy of bosses who just won't quit (like Theresa May)

Press

24 May 2019

Karen Baxter has commented in an article for The Telegraph which asks 'what can employees do when their boss refuses to quit?'

Reducing business costs - alternatives to redundancy

Inbrief

23 May 2019

When businesses run into financial difficulties and need to reduce costs, the knee-jerk reaction is often to consider the scope for job cuts.

Pension auto-enrolment

Inbrief

22 May 2019

Since 1 October 2012 employers have been required to automatically enrol eligible jobholders into a suitable pension scheme and fund a minimum level of pension savings (without reducing pay or benefits elsewhere).

Court of Appeal rules on liability of overseas co-workers for whistleblowing

21 May 2019

In an unusual case of whistleblowing detriment brought by an overseas employee against two co-workers also based overseas, the Court of Appeal (“CA”) has ruled that the Employment Tribunal (“ET”) has no jurisdiction to hear the claim in relation to personal liability of the co-workers, because they were outside the scope of British employment law.

Lewis Silkin wins two awards at the Who’s Who Legal awards

Press Release

21 May 2019

Lewis Silkin wins ‘Global Law Firm of the Year’ and Michael Burd 'Global Lawyer of the Year' at the Who’s Who Legal Awards 2019.

European Court rules that employers must keep records of actual time worked

16 May 2019

The European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) has ruled that employers must keep a record of all hours worked by their workers each day, in order to ensure compliance with the rules on maximum weekly working time and rest breaks.

UsToo? – Addressing bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession

16 May 2019

Earlier this week, the International Bar Association published its report on bullying and harassment in the legal profession. The message is clear – as a profession we are not meeting the highest standards of conduct which are integral to our positions as bastions of the law. We must change within the profession, and take responsibility for driving wider societal change.

Michael Burd comments for The Financial Times: Sexual harassment and bullying rife in legal profession

Press

15 May 2019

Michael Burd has commented in an article for The Financial Times that discusses bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession. Workplace training is having little or no effect on tackling the issues, according to a global survey of 7,000 people working in the sector.

The Good Work Plan - first steps down the path

15 May 2019

Following the Government’s “Good Work Plan”, published last December, new legislation has recently been made to implement the first of the proposed changes. This article takes stock of the reforms enacted so far, flags some of the practical issues and sums up what’s still to come.

Shared parental leave

Inbrief

14 May 2019

The system of shared parental leave was introduced as part of the Government’s commitment to create a fairer society that gives parents more flexibility to decide how they want to share care for their child in the first year.

Whistleblowing

Inbrief

09 May 2019

Since 1999 workers who ‘blow the whistle’ on their employers have had the right not to be dismissed or otherwise penalised as a result.

Redundancy

Inbrief

06 May 2019

This inbrief looks at how employers can minimise the risk of legal claims when dismissing employees by reason of redundancy.

Richard Miskella comments for The Lawyer: Learning the practical lessons of #MeToo: Two City firms appoint workplace guardians

Press

03 May 2019

Richard Miskella has commented in an article for The Lawyer which discusses #MeToo and the “Guardians Programme” put in place by Lewis Silkin. This has seen us appoint designated members of staff to be a confidential port of call for colleagues who are concerned about behaviours or the culture at work.

Maternity leave and pay

Inbrief

01 May 2019

The law recognises women on maternity leave as being particularly vulnerable and gives them special protection. As a result, employers need to be careful to make sure they comply with their legal obligations in this area. This Inbrief summarises the rights which women on maternity leave enjoy and looks at some common problem areas.

EU Commission confirms its views on EWCs and a “no-deal” Brexit

01 May 2019

The European Commission (“EC”) has recently revised its March 2018 guidance on the legal repercussions of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU for European Work’s Councils (“EWCs”), including the implications of a “no-deal” Brexit.

Flexible working - the right to ask

Inbrief

30 April 2019

Employees seeking a better balance between the demands of work and personal life may seek a change in their working arrangements – for example by part-time working, job-sharing or a change in working hours. 

James Davies comments for LexisNexis: Are payslip laws the start of transparency over worker rights?

Press

26 April 2019

James Davies has commented in an article for LexisNexis which discusses the feasibility of payslip laws, the extent of transparency over worker rights and the challenges posed to the government.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa holders

25 April 2019

Due to changes in the Immigration Rules effective from 29 March 2019, existing Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrants may only extend their leave in this category if they apply on or before 5 April 2023. They may only apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on or before 5 April 2025. This means that if you wish to stay in the UK, you must ensure that you meet the requirements for extension and Indefinite Leave to Remain by these dates.

Frequently asked questions on termination payments

Inbrief

25 April 2019

Our FAQs Inbrief looks at some of the common tax questions that arise on termination of employment.