Feature Articles

A new, accessible video has been launched as part of a mission to help create an open culture in which everyone is comfortable talking about death, dying and grief. Christine Grey, researcher and social care writer at Croner-i, looks at why it is important to talk about what happens during the natural process of dying and how this is relevant in adult social care services.

Sometimes it’s relatively minor things that make a massive difference to a person’s quality of life, especially when they are living with dementia. In the second part of this feature, we look at some psychological and social factors that can seriously affect people’s wellbeing and the simple steps that can often result in “miraculous” improvements.

November 20 to 24 2023 is National Older Workers Week. By 2025, current estimates by Age UK are that one in three workers will be 50 or over. Age is an important factor to consider therefore when it comes to diversity in the workforce, and employers should ensure that it is part of the diversity, equality, equity and inclusion efforts. In this feature, we look at how employers can do that.

Amendments will be made to the Equality Act 2010 from 1 January 2024 that employers need to know about. These changes will bring clarity to post-Brexit discrimination law and enshrine a number of key employee rights onto the UK statute books. In this follow-up article, Stacie Cheadle, Croner-i employment law researcher and writer, looks at changes to the Equality Act 2010.

Zero-hours contracts are often a point of contention. The appeal of this type of contract is its flexible nature, but that’s also where the majority of issues arise.

Sometimes it’s relatively minor things that make a massive difference to a person’s quality of life, especially when they are living with dementia. In the first part of this feature, we look at the kind of “trivial” health matters that can seriously affect people’s wellbeing and the simple steps that can often result in “miraculous” improvements.

From 1 January 2024, major legal changes will come about as UK law separates itself from EU law. In order to continue to offer the same protection to employee rights, the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) will need to be amended. Stacie Cheadle, Croner-i employment law researcher and writer, looks at these changes in relation to pregnancy, maternity and breastfeeding in this first of two articles.

As we approach the end of the year, many employers will be looking back at the successes in the business over the last 12 months, and thinking of ways they can celebrate this with their employees. Traditionally, a Christmas party has been a focal point of this, generally involving a late night, alcohol and frivolity. But are such events truly inclusive? In this article, Stacie Cheadle, Croner-i employment law researcher and writer, looks at work-related social events and presents our top tips for ensuring they are inclusive to all.

After a long wait, the Government has finally released its responses to consultations on reforms to retained EU laws and the calculation of annual leave entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers. In particular, it has announced plans to reverse the effects of the Harpur Trust v Brazel decision, which is sure to come as a relief to many employers. In this feature, Croner-i employment law researcher and writer, Stacie Cheadle, looks at the government announcement and what it means for employers.

Following a relationship break-up, the Italian prime minister announced that she was taking a day’s leave. Relationship break-ups can be a distressing time and impact on an individual’s mental and emotional health. They can also raise practical issues, such as moving house, separating finances and organising childcare. But does this mean employers should be giving heartbreak leave? In this feature, Croner-i employment law researcher and writer, Stacie Cheadle, looks at the concept of heartbreak leave, whether it is legally required and what an employer’s options are.