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Further details of new UK visa route for Hong Kongers
04 August 2020
From January 2021, the UK will make a new visa route available for British Nationals (Overseas) and their dependants who are usually resident in Hong Kong. The route will lead to settlement after five years’ residence in the UK, with the option to apply for British citizenship becoming available for most participants after a further year.
Home Office confirms COVID-19 immigration arrangements beyond 31 July 2020
03 August 2020
In a last-minute update on 29 July 2020, the Home Office has pivoted towards a return to business as usual on immigration policy. Some significant concessions remain available until at least 31 August 2020, however there are a number of potential pitfalls for employers and individuals to be aware of.
Schrems II - Practical steps on what to do next…
03 August 2020
We have previously written about the now infamous ruling from the CJEU on 16th July 2020 (“Schrems II”) and the European Data Protection Board (the “EDPB”)’s FAQs issued on 24 July 2020, both can be found linked at the bottom of this article.
The clinically extremely vulnerable can now return to work – or can they?
03 August 2020
From 1 August the clinically extremely vulnerable no longer need to “shield” due to the risk of Covid-19, and can potentially return to work. The government has amended its workplace guidance accordingly, but at the time of writing some of this information is confusing and contradictory.
Staffing decisions when reopening workplaces - flowchart
03 August 2020
We have produced a useful flowchart which will help employers to decide which employees can return to work as part of the Covid-19 road to recovery.
Coronavirus – FAQs on staffing decisions when reopening workplaces
03 August 2020
Employers are facing many employment law issues as restrictions begin to be eased and more employees can come back to work. These FAQs cover specific issues in relation to deciding which employees should stay at home and what happens if employees do not want to return to work.
Plans for new rights for consumers during trader insolvency
31 July 2020
Figures show that online sales have jumped from 19.9% of all retail sales in January to 32.8% in May 2020.
Government to pay bonus for retaining furloughed workers
31 July 2020
The Chancellor has announced a new job retention bonus as part of its Plan for Jobs 2020. Employers who bring workers back from furlough and retain them in employment until the end of January 2021 will qualify for a £1,000 bonus, and further guidance on the scheme was published on 31 July.
Restructuring the workplace post Covid-19 - FAQs for employers
31 July 2020
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may have been extended to 31 October 2020, but employers are thinking now about what their workforce might look like following the end of subsidised furlough and a return to more normal working patterns.
New law on redundancy and notice pay for furloughed employees
30 July 2020
In a piece of rapid-fire legislating, the government has passed new regulations intended to ensure that furloughed employees who are made redundant receive statutory redundancy and notice pay based on their “pre-furlough” rate.
Consultation on ability of courts to depart from EU law after Brexit
30 July 2020
The UK government is consulting on which lower courts and tribunals will be allowed to depart from retained EU case law after the end of the Brexit implementation period, and in what circumstances.
RE: Occupy Survey
30 July 2020
Many businesses have made adjustments to allow a steady return of staff to office premises. As Boris encourages people back into the office, and it becomes increasingly clear that things will not return to ‘normal’ for some time, thoughts are turning to the medium to long term vision. We conducted a survey for business decision makers to investigate their plans for their offices, providing some clear trends which we hope will benefit you as we look to a ‘new normal’
Ireland: what do the July Stimulus Plan and Programme for Government mean for employers?
29 July 2020
This article discusses key measures for employers under the new Irish government’s July Stimulus Plan, plus various commitments under its Programme for Government which could have a significant impact in workplaces.
Brexit is back! European Commission issues Communication on readiness for end of transition period
28 July 2020
After a few months where organisations’ attention has been diverted by the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for an extension to the Brexit transition period has passed without one being agreed and the UK will leave the EU Single Market and customs union from 1 January 2021.
Apprenticeships: Round-up of recent developments on delivery, hiring bonus and redundancies
28 July 2020
Apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations have experienced their fair share of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government’s Department for Education has continued to review the apprenticeships landscape since the early days of lockdown.
Choppy waters ahead – long-term employee incentive plans in a recession
28 July 2020
One of the many issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic is its effect on existing long-term cash and equity incentive plans. We answer some of the key questions that businesses are asking.
UK government publishes White Paper and consultation on UK Single Market
28 July 2020
Just when you thought the UK was leaving a Single Market, the UK government is worried about another one – the one within the four home nations of the UK.
EDPB doubles down on Schrems II
27 July 2020
In its recently released FAQs the EDPB appears to have confirmed the expanded scope of all the potential consequences of Schrems II.
Travelling from Spain – new self-isolation rules and employment
27 July 2020
A requirement to self-isolate for 14 days in order to limit the spread of Covid-19 has been re-imposed on all people returning to the UK from Spain. Happening in the middle of peak summer holiday season, how does this affect employees who are already travelling or due to travel in the next few weeks?
How will the current crisis shape the social contract and business landscape?
23 July 2020
“We’re facing the twin-track challenges of creating a society with better 'good work' yet also facing the headwinds of an economic crisis. Few want to return to the world exactly as it used to be. In the world of work, we have a unique opportunity but also a unique once in a generation challenge, for both employers and the government, in re-thinking the who, how, what, and where of work.” James Davies, Partner, Lewis Silkin LLP