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Coronavirus Job Support Scheme – FAQs for employers
29 October 2020
The government’s new Job Support Scheme replaces the furlough scheme and starts on 1 November 2020. It comprises two wage support schemes – a scheme to support businesses required to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions and a scheme to support businesses that can stay open but are facing lower demand. These FAQs cover eligibility, how the Job Support Schemes work, what you need to agree with employees and alternative resourcing options for employers.
Home and away – when ‘working from home’ means working abroad
29 October 2020
Covid-19 is causing many employees to ask if they can work from “home” for an extended period in an overseas country - for example, because it is their home nation or their family is based there. This article explains the potential legal issues and how to avoid the traps.
Job Support Scheme Calculator
29 October 2020
We are still waiting for detailed government guidance and an official calculator for JSS Open, the new support scheme in place from Sunday 1 November. In the meantime, we’ve made our own calculator to give employers an idea of the costs of putting employees into the scheme.
The countdown for the new UK immigration system 2020 and Brexit – are you ready?
29 October 2020
From 1 December 2020 there will be a new immigration system in the UK. It will apply to EEA/Swiss (‘EEA’) nationals from 1 January 2021. Employers need to start preparing for these changes now, including understanding the proposed new rules, checking recruitment plans and budgets, obtaining or reviewing a sponsor licence and assisting staff with applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Looming lockdowns and remote working – to what extent can employees be monitored?
28 October 2020
With reports of businesses increasingly taking steps to monitor staff who are working remotely, this article discusses the legal considerations and how employers can strike an appropriate and fair balance between work and home life.
Six pitfalls to avoid with the EU Settlement Scheme
27 October 2020
Despite the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) being publicised as being simple and straightforward, there are many potential pitfalls for the unwary, particularly when the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic are factored in. To avoid them, it will be important for individuals to be aware of the scheme and to get to grips with it before the end of this year. This is because in some cases, assessments and actions will need to be completed by then, despite main deadline for the scheme not being until 30 June 2021.
Dealing with Data Subject Access Requests
27 October 2020
Receiving a Data Subject Access Request (a ‘DSAR’) can be tricky for any organisation. In addition to the additional work created for overstretched IT, HR and data privacy personnel, the potentially thousands of documents that a DSAR can cover need to be analysed, redacted and reproduced for the data subject, all within the deadline of a calendar month.
A briefing note on the immigration implications for Tier 2 workers of changes to salary, wage support schemes and redundancy amid the COVID-19 pandemic
27 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has significant and wide-ranging economic as well as public health impacts. Businesses are feeling the side-effects of profoundly changed trading circumstances. This note will take you through the immigration implications of a number of actions you may be forced to take to protect your business due to the pandemic, taking into account Home Office guidance as this is updated.
The business lunch may benefit from a 'glorious' Covid loophole: Colin Leckey comments for Tech Register
26 October 2020
Under guidance for UK regions placed under “high alert”, gatherings of people from different households are banned indoors and limited outside to six people only. But the rules, which apply to London and Birmingham among other places, say people can meet others if it is “reasonably necessary for work purposes”. In this article Colin Leckey comments on the loopholes for meetings and the risks they propose.
Inside the rise of the political micro-influencer: Geraint Lloyd-Taylor comments for The Financial Times
26 October 2020
Mid-tier social media stars are being hired by marketing agencies to push political messages. The Instagram account of Lauren Hansen, a Wisconsin-based blogger with around 12,000 followers, does not immediately look like a place for politics. But nestled between the fashion tips and baby videos that fill her feed is evidence that Ms Hansen has become part of a new wave of online campaigning.
Doing business in Ireland: key differences between UK and Irish Employment law. Síobhra Rush speaks to Thomson Reuters Practical Law
26 October 2020
This video considers the key differences between UK and Irish employment law that UK businesses should be aware of when they are considering opening a branch in Ireland, or moving employees from the UK to Ireland, in light of Brexit and generally.
New video sharing platform regulations - something to get twitchy about?
26 October 2020
Does your website/app/platform allow the sharing of videos? Even just as an add-on to its main activities? If so new regulations governing video sharing platforms need to be on your radar.
When working from home means working abroad (HK)
26 October 2020
Covid-19 is causing many employees to ask if they can work from “home” for an extended period in an overseas country - for example, because it is their home nation, or their family is based there. This article explains the potential legal issues and how to avoid the traps.
ICO publishes updated Data Subject Access Request guidance
23 October 2020
Two and a half years after the GDPR came into force, the ICO have published their long awaited guidance on Data Subject Access Requests (“DSARs”).
New changes to the Job Support Scheme – an open and shut case?
23 October 2020
The Chancellor has significantly expanded the Job Support Scheme after objections from businesses, particularly those in tier two areas, that they are facing massively reduced demand but less support from the government than tier three businesses legally forced to close. Under the revised scheme, employees will have to work fewer hours and employers will need to contribute less in order to qualify. The changes could have a significant impact – but there is precious little time available to employers to take the steps needed to take advantage of the scheme before it comes into effect.
Home Office publishes Immigration Rules for the new UK immigration system
23 October 2020
Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 813 was laid on 22 October 2020 and is the key document outlining the features of the Government’s Points-Based Immigration System, as well as simplifying the language and structure of some areas of the Rules. The new system will apply to EEA and Swiss nationals, aside from Irish nationals (EEA nationals). This insight focuses on some of the changes that are likely to be of most interest to employers.
BA’s jumbo fine significantly reduced
21 October 2020
In what has so far been a torrid year for British Airways (“BA”), the ICO decision to significantly reduce the level of fine it intended to issue following their data breach in 2018 is likely to be seen by BA as a glimmer of hope.
IP360 Webinar Series: IP Valuation - A Primer
21 October 2020
We are delighted to introduce our IP360 Autumn webinar series. Hot on the heels of our Summer series, which covered all things IP from Brexit to e-commerce in China, the Autumn series will cover the full spectrum of your IP needs.
As “proper” Brexit gets closer, what do commercial lawyers need to consider?
21 October 2020
Businesses are having a tough year with the pandemic and now the spectre of a no-deal Brexit (and even if we do have a trade deal with the EU, there are still going to be many changes) isn’t making thing easier.
A guide to the immigration implications of COVID-19 for UK employers
21 October 2020
This document sets out the main immigration law issues and Home Office guidance that you need to be aware of so you can consider the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for your business. The Home Office is making policy announcements and issuing revised guidance regularly and we will keep you updated as this is published.