Feature Articles

This year will bring a number of key changes to employment law, as well as the usual rate changes. See below for the key dates that employers and employees should be aware of.

With the festive season a distant memory, employees now have to get through the infamous January blues. Recent reports have found that mental health illnesses cost the UK and Irish economy more than £41.8 billion (€49.7 billion) combined, each year.

This new year is set to be a very busy one for employment law and employers need to be ready for this. As we welcome in 2020, Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, examines some of the key upcoming changes.

The results are in and Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party have gained a majority in Parliament. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, explores what this is likely to mean for employment law going forward.

While most employees and workers will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), there are certain groups who are exempt from this requirement, meaning they are free to agree their own rate of payment. Croner Taxwise explains the groups and where the exemptions lie.

’Tis the season of good cheer ending in the start of a new year, which some of us look forward to and others dread. Either way, it is worth reviewing your organisation’s procedures for dealing with alcohol misuse, writes Jon Herbert.

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.

In this feature Thoreya Swage, Healthcare Consultant, provides an update on the establishment of Primary Care Networks in England and describes the resources that have been made available to support their development.

Winter is a busy time for healthcare services in the UK, including primary care. Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older or vulnerable people, and is responsible for many deaths and illnesses. Heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illnesses all increase in the winter, and an increase in flu also puts pressure on services. In addition, severe snow fall and floods can also bring disruption to both patients and staff in many parts of the country. What should primary care providers do to ensure the safety of their staff and patients when the cold and wet weather starts? Here are 9 key winter planning tips.

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.