Feature Articles

June is Pride Month. Many employers are using this time to display their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. But employers should not see this as a month-long exercise: continuous effort is needed to create a diverse and inclusive environment.

It’s easy to post a rainbow flag on social media for Pride month, but this act alone isn't going to help the fight for equality. You don't want to make a public gesture if you don't have a supportive environment to go with it.

As cases of monkeypox begin to rise in the UK, there has been speculation that this will become the new coronavirus. However, this is far from the truth. Monkeypox is a rare viral infection, which is generally mild and self-limiting, and poses a very low threat to the wider public. It is not easily transmissible, full recovery is expected and treatment is available through the smallpox vaccine. This being said, it is still natural for employers to be prepared for what steps they need to take to manage this outbreak.

Healthcare providers and members of staff are increasingly facing abusive comments on social media platforms. Christine Grey details how to manage inappropriate posts and support your staff who become the victims of any unfairness or online abuse.

The number of individuals with dementia continues to rise. In the UK there are currently around 900,000 with the disease. It is projected by 2025 there will be over one million, potentially increasing to around 1.6 million in 2040. Dementia Action Week, which this year runs from 16 to 22 May, aims to raise awareness and encourage people to “act on dementia”.

Announcing Royal Assent for the Health and Care Bill, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said dedicated plans to tackle “health disparities” are also set to be published in due course. In this feature, Christine Grey looks at the latest developments in addressing the crisis of health inequalities in the UK.

The Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities recently published its updated Covid-19 mental health and wellbeing surveillance report. This report looks at population mental health and wellbeing in England during the coronavirus pandemic. Its information is used when deciding on policy, planning and commissioning in health and social care. However, individual organisations can also benefit from the findings of the report and use these to develop their own HR strategies.

To commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, there will be changes to bank holidays in 2022. The late May Bank Holiday, which would have fallen on Monday 30 May 2022 will be moved to Thursday 2 June 2022 and there will be an additional Bank Holiday on Friday 3 June 2022. The adjustment will take effect in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Equality Act 2010 (EqA) is explicit in its prohibition of pregnancy and maternity discrimination. Yet, in the period 2020–2021, the employment tribunals in the UK heard 1435 cases of pregnancy and maternity-related detriment or dismissal, making it the 5th most common discrimination claim.

From 6 April 2022, parents in Northern Ireland will finally be given rights that parents in England, Wales and Scotland have had since 6 April 2020: the right to take time off following the death or stillbirth of their, or their partner’s, child.