MARCH UPDATES
Orchard Employment Law
Clear and Uncomplicated Advice, Support and Representation
Welcome to our monthly newsletter where we share Employment Law Updates, HR Tips, Behind the scenes at Team Orchard and give you the chance to take advantage of offers.
In this month's newsletter, we are talking about: -
Please do remember that we are continuing to support our wonderful clients, so if you need any guidance, advice or support in any employment law or HR matter, no matter how big or small, please remember that we are at the end of the telephone (01634 564 136) or?email.
NEED TO KNOW EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATES
CHANGES TO SELF-ISOLATION RULES
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced at the end of February?that all restrictions relating to COVID-19 have been lifted, including the need for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate.
However, this does not mean that businesses cannot introduce their own policies on whether or not staff can attend work if they test positive.
Employers should take into account staff wellbeing, the fact that staff who?work whilst they are sick can prolong sickness, and also the impact on other staff who may not feel comfortable working alongside someone who is COVID?positive.
For more information on this, drop us an?email.
CHANGES TO RIGHT TO WORK CHECKS
At the end of last year, the Government announced that it wanted to?introduce changes to the way in which employers are expected to check the right to work of employees and prospective employees.
As things stand, foreign nationals who hold biometric cards can choose to demonstrate their?right to work?in the UK either by showing an employer their physical card or sharing their status via the Home Office’s online service.
The?flexibility currently provided allows for employers and workers to?choose between the?simplicity of producing and checking a physical document in the presence of each other, as well as sharing immigration?status online without having to meet in person.
In the Government's announcement in December,?it was stated that from 6th April 2022, holders of biometric cards will only be able to demonstrate their?right to work in the UK using the Home Office online service. This means that employers will no longer be able to accept physical cards for the purposes of a right to work check, even if the card shows a later expiry date.
For more information on this, click?here.
STATUTORY SICK PAY REBATE SCHEME ENDING
The Statutory Sick Pay?Rebate Scheme is?closing on 17th March 2022. Businesses and employers will have until 24th March 2022 to submit any new claims for absence periods up to 17th March 2022, or to amend claims previously?submitted.?
Businesses will no longer be able to claim SSP for their employees' COVID-19 related absences or self-isolation that happen after 17th March 2022.
From 25th March 2022, the normal SSP rules will return, meaning that businesses can revert to paying SSP from the fourth qualifying day in which the employee is off sick, regardless of the reason.
For more information on eligibility and how to make final claims, click?here
For more information on SSP rules, click?here.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A HR REVIEW?
With the new financial year approaching, now is the perfect time to think about reviewing your employment contracts and HR documentation.
We know that this can be a huge and daunting task?BUT?this is something that we can undertake for you. We have many years experience in doing such work and would be delighted to help you.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT ORCHARD EMPLOYMENT LAW?
PRICE INCREASES
If you have been an Orchard Employment Law client for a while, you will know that we don’t change our prices very?often. In fact, the last change was in March 2020.
We pride ourselves on giving great value but like most businesses, we have seen an increase?in costs which means we too will be increasing our prices from 1st April 2022.
If you have any questions about this, please drop us an?email.
FSB VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARDS 2022
Last month, Jemma was recognised for her volunteering efforts with the Federation of Small Businesses.
The event took place on 8th February and was the perfect opportunity for the FSB to?offer a well-deserved thank you to all FSB volunteers for all of their commitment and support given to FSB members, and to recognise and acknowledge the?awesome team of volunteers who have supported the FSB and their small business communities over the past year.
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GEORGE'S GRADUATION
The 9th February 2022 was a very important day for George - he?took the walk across the prestigious stage of the Brighton Dome, being the first of his family to graduate with a Bachelor's degree.
To say we are proud is a huge understatement.
WELL DONE GEORGE!!
领英推荐
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OUT AND ABOUT WITH TEAM ORCHARD
Jemma and George have been busy again with more networking, both in-person and virtually.
George attended a couple of virtual Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce virtual networking events.
Both Jemma and George attended a Curry and Beer night hosted by Cain and Beer Accountants.
Jemma was also incredibly excited (she DID NOT stop talking it about!) to see Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO Live with the lovely Tara Humphrey.
Jemma told us that?"If I could sum it up in one word it would be amazing! Steven has so much wisdom on life and business and I am truly inspired."
?AND we are now in our?lovely, huge new office! We are still based at Dragon Coworking, just in the bigger office in the newer area. If you are in the area, please do drop in and say hello :-)
THE PROFESSIONAL COLLECTIVE
On 23rd March Jemma will be sharing her personal business story with Business Women in South Africa. We would love to travel but this particular event will be held on Zoom at 7pm South African Time or 5pm GMT.
Contact us for sign in Details.
BUSINESS VISION LIVE 2022
We will be heading to Business Vision Live 2022 in May.
Whilst there, our very own Jemma will be delivering an Employment Law update.
So, for your chance to get in the know and stay ahead of the curve with Employment Law, book your FREE tickets?here.
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HR TIPS
HOLIDAY YEAR ENDING
Some businesses have their annual leave year ending?on 31st March.
If this is the case for your business, now is the perfect time to remind staff about their unused annual leave allowance.
You do not have to allow staff to roll over their unused annual leave into the next holiday year unless there are exceptional circumstances such as maternity leave or illness.
If you are not allowing your staff to carry their holiday over, now is the time to remind them that they still have unused leave to take.
And believe it or not, you are also able to refuse an annual leave request if it is not a convenient time for your business or if there are too many staff off.
That being said though, it is essential that staff have time off to rest, so you should be reasonable when refusing holiday requests.
Many employers are also unaware that they can impose annual leave on their staff. So if your business has a down period or if your staff have unused annual leave, you can simply give them a day off. Remember to give notice though.
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
The National Living Wage (NLW) will rise to ￡9.50 from 1st April 2022.
This represents an increase of 59pence.
Businesses should make sure to make proper adjustments on time to avoid any unwanted issues.
For more information, just drop us an?email.
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ORCHARD EMPLOYMENT LAW BLOG
What Does The Lifting Of Coronavirus Restrictions Mean For?Employers? What are the rules in place?
COVID?restrictions are lifting but what does this mean for employers? Let’s start by looking at the law around COVID?restrictions across the UK.
In England, all restrictions will be lifted from Thursday 24th February 2022. This includes the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19
From 21st March 2022, the rules in Scotland will also end, including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you have had a positive test.
Self-isolation rules were never a legal requirement in Northern Ireland but there was strong guidance to do so, the guidance remains in place but all other restrictions have been eased.
Wales still has a self-isolation mandate in place. We are expecting an update from the Welsh Assembly on 4th March.
Click?here?to read our?full blog post.
WHAT DID YOU THINK?
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