Feature Articles

The whole issue of an employee’s and worker’s right to be accompanied can often cause problems for employers. Stuart Chamberlain, author and senior employment law consultant at Croner-i explains the central issues and provides advice.

The summer saw the Care Quality Commission publish a new report, Smiling matters — Oral health care in care homes. The report is critical of oral care standards in care homes in England. It concludes that inspectors will be looking for improvements across the sector and calls for action from care providers, commissioners and the dental profession.

Many companies may operate a January to December leave year and, with the end of 2019 in sight, time may be running out for employees to take their leave. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, explores whether employers should permit their employees to carry leave over into the next leave year.

In this article, which is divided into two parts, Chris Payne looks at the new arrangements for completing the CQC’s Provider Information Return, providing discussion on the new forms and guidance on how to address some of the more challenging sections and questions.

By destigmatising the harsh realities of mental stress, October’s World Mental Health Day broke taboos around discussing why many people take their own lives. It is part of a wider drive to reassure those under duress, firstly, that they are not alone and, secondly, that help is not far away, writes Jon Herbert.

The nights are drawing in and next summer is half a year away. For many of us this means misery: seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can affect as many as one in three people.

With Christmas soon approaching, hiring temporary staff may be necessary to keep operations functional. Andrew Willis, senior manager at Croner’s Litigation and Employment department details what organisations should consider before hiring provisional employees during a busier period.

Recent figures have shown that food unfit for human consumption is increasingly being offered for sale, food crime having risen to its highest level since the 2013 horsemeat scandal. So how can food businesses spot this worrying crime, especially during a time of major change like Brexit? Vicky Powell highlights the current expert advice on preventing food fraud in supply chains.

Christmas is just around the corner and many employers may be looking to organise the annual Christmas party. While this should be a fun experience for everyone concerned, should they be worried about the potential for employee misconduct? Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, explores this in more detail below.

With a General Election set for 12 December 2019, Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines previous confirmed developments to the law going forward, alongside the implications for future changes from a Conservative or Labour victory.