The deadline for responses to the BIS call for evidence in relation to the use of restrictive covenants expires on 19 July. The Call contains no hard evidence at all to support any suggestion that covenants stifle start-ups. It admits that this is only an assumption, though even those are normally based on something. It … Continue Reading
“We want to ensure that when used, covenants are justified, well-constructed, targeted and reasonable. There needs to be a balance which ensures the employer can protect its business interests when staff move on and the worker is not unfairly disadvantaged when they (SIC) decide to leave or start up their own business“. So says the … Continue Reading
Here is a short guide to the main provisions of the Trade Union Bill which went through its first reading in Parliament earlier this week. The Bill is either a malicious attack on the noble workers of Britain or a welcome redrawing of the boundaries around the disruption which striking can be allowed to cause, … Continue Reading
Last week, Business Minister Jo Swinson publicly named and shamed 48 more employers which have paid their employees below the UK’s statutory minimum wage. The companies span the fashion, retail, hospitality and publishing sectors and are located right across the UK. They include the likes of the esteemed French Connection in London and Toni & … Continue Reading
It wouldn’t happen in professional football. There you are as coach, carefully psyching up your team to a nerve-jangling peak of readiness in the dressing room when one of the match officials trots in to tell you that the other side would actually rather come back and do it in three months, if that’s OK … Continue Reading
The right for women to take time off work for antenatal appointments has been around for decades. In all that time, so far as I can tell, no one has felt it necessary to issue any clarification on how that right is exercised. From 1st October this year, however, fathers and other partners gain limited … Continue Reading
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has launched a consultation on measures to give shareholders of UK-incorporated quoted companies greater influence over executive pay, through enhanced voting rights. These proposals are just part of the Government’s attempt to address wider concerns that the link between pay and performance in some of our largest … Continue Reading
More hot news from the Department of Cheap Political Gestures earlier this week. Under the not even remotely inflammatory headline “Old Slackers Face the Boot” the Evening Standard Evening Standard – Politics RSS feed reports somewhat vaguely on new Government proposals to help employers with the tricky issue of raising retirement with their older staff. … Continue Reading
News just in from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) that the Government intends to increase the minimum length of service for ordinary unfair dismissal claims back up to two years in April next year. This is with a view to “a saving to British industry of around £6million”, and is intended to … Continue Reading
