Feature Articles

Working parents are afforded certain rights under employment law and employers need to ensure they are aware of them. Not only can failure in this area result in costly discrimination claims, it can also mean the difference between a low or a high retention rate. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines points that employers can consider when aiming to be family-friendly employers.

While a disabled employee can present numerous challenges for an employer, appropriately managing this situation can help to avoid discrimination claims, as well as maintaining and prolonging the employment relationship. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, explores several points that employers should consider when managing employee disability.

One of the most common annual leave queries which arises is whether an employer can cancel an employee’s approved annual leave. Cancelling an employee’s approved annual leave could result in constructive dismissal claims, so employers are advised to tread carefully.

Stoptober, the Government’s 28-day national stop smoking challenge, officially kicked off on 1 October 2019. Vicky Powell looks at all the good reasons why employers should help workers kick the smoking habit and the best strategies to achieve this.

With the World Health Organisation officially recognising burnout as an “occupational phenomenon”, the focus on the workplace risk of burnout is higher than ever — leading to employers considering how to manage this problem.

With the Government recently announcing its plan to support a better work-life balance, including increased flexi-time or remote working (Government offers helping hand to balance work and life), permitting employees to change their hours is becoming increasingly popular with modern day employers. Although employers do not have to allow flexible working, they must be aware of the legal obligations upon them when processing these requests.

Stuart Chamberlain, author and senior employment consultant at Croner-i, provides an update on the implications of a “no-deal” Brexit for immigration and employment law.

Unlike Japan, the UK does not record how many suicides are work-related. But we should, says Andrew Christodoulou, who argues that work-related suicide is a significant issue that needs to be addressed when managing employee health and welfare.

Skills shortages, falling birth rates, greater life expectancy, low unemployment levels and squeezed public finances are increasing job opportunities for older workers. They can bring valuable benefits to the workplace that offset slightly elevated health and safety risks, writes Jon Herbert.

A very short time ago, jobs were advertised in the local or national newspaper, at significant expense, and a candidate would post his or her completed application form and curriculum vitae (CV) hoping that the Royal Mail would deliver this paper copy before the deadline. Every stage of this process has changed significantly and remarkably quickly. The question, asks Gudrun Limbrick, is are employers keeping up with the myriad ways in which potential candidates now communicate about important matters such as jobs?