Expert Employment Law Services for your Business
Welcome to mlplaw, where exceptional service is our commitment.
Employing people presents incredibly complex challenges for businesses and the financial and reputational risks of getting things wrong can be significant.
That’s why you need our highly experienced experts on your side, guiding you through the minefield and protecting your interests every step of the way.
We are jargon-free and commercial. We understand the challenges you face and provide specialist practical and pro-active support.
Our expertise in the following areas
Business Protection
It’s important to protect your business from unfair competition.
We can help you with:
- Preparing bespoke “business protection” clauses, including post-termination restrictions (non-compete, non-solicitation etc) and confidentiality restrictions; and
- Enforcing restrictions through injunction applications and claims for damages
Defending Employment Tribunal Claims
At some stage, all employers are likely to receive an Employment Tribunal claim.
We understand you will need experienced litigators to help with:
- Drafting and submitting your Response to the claim;
- Collection and disclosure of evidence;
- Witness statement preparation
- Full representation by one of our Employment Law experts at all Preliminary and Final Hearings;
- Expert guidance through the Employment Tribunal process, from start to finish;
- Representation in the ACAS Early Conciliation process and in commercial settlement discussions.
Employment Law Training
Our expert Employment Law solicitors are experienced and engaging trainers who provide bespoke training on all Employment Law matters including:
- Conducting fair disciplinary and dismissal processes;
- Hearing employee grievances
- Handling poor performance
- Managing sickness absence
- Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment; and
- Employment Law Updates.
Family Rights
We advise employers on their employees’ family friendly rights, including:
- Preparing bespoke “family friendly” policies, including maternity and paternity;
- Helping employers deal with employees taking time off for family reasons;
- Ensuring employers avoid discriminatory decisions or breaches of employee rights; and
- Handling business changes, such as redundancies, which arise whilst employees are exercising their rights.
Managing Sickness Absence
Our Employment Law solicitors are experts at assisting employers to proactively manage difficult sickness issues whilst minimising the risks to the business.
We can help with:
- Creating bespoke Sickness Absence Policies, setting out expectations for reporting sickness absence and how such absences will be managed.
- Guiding employers through important sickness absence management meetings, including Return to Work Meetings, Welfare Meetings and Capability Meetings
- Obtaining medical information and occupational health advice to inform and assist with making key decisions.
- Minimising the risk of unfair dismissal and discrimination claims arising from capability dismissals or sickness absence management
- Advising on making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees; and
- Providing bespoke training to managers conducting sickness management processes
Settlement Agreements and Protected Conversations
We prepare bespoke Settlement Agreements to ensure your business has maximum protection and complies with the specific statutory requirements for such agreements.
- Drafting bespoke Settlement Agreements;
- Providing you with scripts, and related letters, enabling you to conduct effective protected conversations; and
- Providing bespoke training to managers conducting protected conversations.
Holidays
Calculating holiday entitlements and holiday pay is a notoriously tricky business. Our experts can ensure you comply with the latest legal developments and best practice to avoid thorny holiday pay claims.
Discrimination
Your workers and job applicants are protected against discrimination because of a protected characteristic and, as an employer, you can even be held for the discriminatory actions of your employees.
It is therefore crucial that you promote a working environment which promotes equality and prevents discrimination.
We can help you achieve this by:
- Advising you on your obligations as an employer;
- Training your managers and key decision makers on how to ensure they make fair decisions and avoid allegations of discrimination;
- Preparing bespoke workplace policies which demonstrate your commitment to equality and zero-tolerance of discrimination and harassment of any kind; and
- Providing our practical and legal support in fostering a positive workplace culture which promotes equality, diversity and inclusion;
- Responding to grievances alleging discrimination and taking disciplinary action against employees who discriminate against others; and
- Representation in defending Employment Tribunal claims.
Contracts of Employment and Directors’ Service Agreements
The ever changing nature of Employment Law makes it essential to keep your Contracts of Employment fully up to date.
We can help you with:
- Preparing bespoke Employment Contracts and Directors’ Service Agreements which ensure you meet your legal obligations under the Employment Rights Act 1996;
- Designing tailored clauses to protect your business, including confidentiality restrictions and post-termination restrictions; and
- Drafting complex bonus and remuneration schemes.
Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies
Employee Handbooks are invaluable tools. We design bespoke Handbooks which add practical value and promote your culture.
We can help you with:
- Designing bespoke Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies;
- Advising on implementing and applying internal policies and procedures;
- Providing regular updates and reviews to ensure your Employee Handbook is always fit for purposes and keeping pace with Employment Law changes.
Employment Status and Consultancy
Many businesses engage independent contractors, or “consultants”, rather than employees. Before doing so, it is vital to ensure it would be lawful and appropriate to do so.
We can help you with:
- Advising you on the appropriate employment status for the people working for you;
- Preparing bespoke contracts that are consistent with the applicable status, including Consultancy Agreements, Contracts of Employment and Zero Hours Contracts; and
- Advising you on the implications of IR35.
Handling disciplinaries, poor performance and grievances
Our experienced Employment Law experts are on hand to guide you through these complex processes and ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
We can help with:
- Advising on investigations into misconduct, poor performance or grievances;
- Providing all correspondence required, including invitation letters and outcome letters
- Ensuring compliance with fair procedures, including the ACAS Code;
- Providing scripts for meetings and hearings;
- Designing bespoke policies and procedures on disciplinary, performance and grievance matters
- Helping you deal with sensitive issues such as bullying, whistleblowing and discrimination; and
- Training you and your managers on conducting fair and effective disciplinary, performance and grievance procedures.
Redundancy and Restructure
We guide employers through effective redundancy exercises, including where collective consultation obligations apply, and minimise the risk of Employment Tribunal claims by assisting with:
- Preparing all the supporting documents needed to conduct a fair redundancy process, including invitation and outcome letters, meeting scripts, scoring matrixes
- Designing fair scoring criteria and selection processes;
- Liaising with trade unions and representatives; and
- Providing bespoke training to managers conducting redundancy consultation processes.
Transfers of Undertakings (TUPE)
We help you navigate the complexities of the TUPE process, providing expert guidance and advice every step of the way and minimising the risks to your business, we can offer advice on:
- Advising on obligations to inform and consult with affected employees;
- Ensuring compliance with obligations to provide employer liability information;
- Guiding employers through the steps required to affect any post-transfer changes; and
- Avoiding costly Employment Tribunal claims and substantial penalties for TUPE breaches.
Flexible Working
We ensure employers comply with their obligations in respect of flexible working requests, including dealing with requests which clash with business needs.
Reasonable Adjustments
If any of your employees have a disability, you may be required to make reasonable adjustments to remove the disadvantages they suffer because of their disability. This may include changes to their hours of work, their place of work or their working environment. The changes must be reasonable, taking into account the resources available to you as an employer.
We can help with:
- Advice on your obligations to make reasonable adjustments as an employer;
- Understanding which adjustments are reasonable and which are not;
- Responding to grievances alleging you have failed to make reasonable adjustments; and
- Representation in defending Employment Tribunal claims.
Gareth Matthews
Partner - Employment Law expert
Amy Jefferson
Paralegal - Employment Law
Deborah Scales
Partner - Employment Law
Sasha Brine
Partner - Employment Law
Gareth Matthews
Partner - Employment Law expertGareth is a Partner in mlplaw’s Employment team and for over 10 years has specialised in employment law, primarily advising businesses and senior individuals. Gareth has significant litigation experience, including experience as an advocate in the Employment Tribunal. Gareth also has considerable experience in advising on the employment issues in corporate mergers and acquisition, including the complexities which arise in TUPE transfers.
Gareth’s sector experience is wide ranging, encompassing advice to clients in the hospitality, retail, construction, healthcare, recruitment and manufacturing industries.
Gareth provides training to clients and organisations on a variety of key employment topics, such as absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes and employment law updates. Gareth also acts as a guest lecturer in employment law at Liverpool Hope University.
Gareth has been described by Legal 500 as someone who is ‘very reassuring and does a great job’ and was named Legal Personality of the Year by Downtown in Business. Gareth has also been quoted as an employment law expert in the Manchester Evening News and The Times and is known for his pragmatic and commercial advice, as well as his ability to quickly understand his clients’ business objectives and tailor his advice accordingly.
Prior to joining mlplaw, Gareth spent a number of years working in the employment teams at two international law firms in Manchester.
Away from work Gareth is a passionate cricket and football fan and enjoys discovering new music. Gareth is also a keen traveller but has had to put his plans to become fluent in a foreign language on hold in favour of spending time with family, particularly his two young sons of whom he is incredibly proud.
Amy Jefferson
Paralegal - Employment LawFollowing the completion of her undergraduate degree in Law, Amy started her legal career at a trade union law firm based in Sheffield in September 2022.
Amy’s interest in legal practice began following a series of trips to the Manchester Crown Court public gallery with her Grandad. What started as a few day trips sparked a real interest in legal practice and a few years later she undertook work experience with a high street firm in Bramhall specialising in employment law.
This area was further explored during university by studying an elective module in employment law and completing a part time work placement in employment law alongside studies in her final year. After university, looking to explore her options she began working in personal injury. However, quickly missing the pace and range of employment law, she returned to the area and has found the work to be meaningful and rewarding.
In her spare time, Amy likes to attend live music events and go for walks in the Peak District.
Deborah Scales
Partner - Employment LawDeborah is an experienced Employment and Discrimination lawyer who has had a mixed practice representing both businesses and individuals. She believes this gives her the edge when negotiating with ‘the other side’. Areas of expertise include discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, restraints of trade, TUPE, collective redundancies, employment status and IR35 issues, managing employee conflict, grievance and disciplinary investigations, and negotiating severance packages (on both sides of the fence). With the explosion in remote working, Deborah has been advising businesses on the risks and opportunities of employing workers living in overseas jurisdictions.
Deborah was Called to the Bar in 2007 and cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2011. She has sat on advisory panels including the EHRC’s panel on Religion & Belief and the Federation of Small Businesses’ Employment Law Policy Committee. She is a member of Lincoln’s Inn Denning Society after being awarded a scholarship in 2005. She joins mlpplus as an Employment Law Partner.
Outside of work, she enjoys following her local pub bands and catching up with her three adult daughters – when they are all in the same country.
Sasha Brine
Partner - Employment LawSasha Brine is a highly effective Solicitor with 15 years’ experience advising on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law . Sasha has provided crucial expert advice on a wide range of employment matters providing clients with timely pragmatic advice and the giving clients their desired outcome.
Sasha has worked closely with employers from various sectors including financial services, insurance, professional services, educational establishments, technology and health care environments delivering practical and strategic guidance on complex employment issues. Sasha covers all aspect of restructures and reorganisation working closely with commercial teams to ensure the best possible outcome for clients.
Sasha has spent a number of years with well-known corporate commercial firms and FTSE 100 organisations, assisting with large scale projects, buyouts and disposals prior to moving to mlplaw.
Why choose us
1. Unparalleled Expertise and Experience
We are vastly experienced, Legal-500 recommended
legal experts who live and breathe Employment Law. We provide no-nonsense, commercial advice, achieving
successful outcomes for employers.
2. Your business, your service
Your business is unique, as are the challenges it faces.
That’s why our approach is always as unique as
your business itself.
We don’t like one-size-fits-all strategies. We’re all about crafting tailored strategies that fit
your specific needs.
Communication is key. We’re fluent in plain language
and have no time for legal jargon. We believe in complete transparency and proactivity, providing you with a clear path and fixed fees so you’re never caught off guard.
3. We are proactive and keep your options open
Most businesses only call their lawyers when things go wrong. By then, it may be too late.
We know that prevention is always better than the cure. We work with you proactively to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks and ensure successful outcomes before problems arise. We save you time, money and the stress that comes with handling legal issues.
Testimonials
“Always on top of the latest changes and challenges facing businesses, providing simple and effective advice. We have peace of mind knowing that we have the back up and support of a trusted team.”
-Simon Kane, National Administration Manager, GKR Karate Admin Services LLP
“Constantly high-quality assistance in a wide-range of HR and Employment Law issues, including major projects like a redundancy process, disciplinaries and Employment Tribunal claims, down to quick small enquiries. The replies are always clear and thorough, in easy-to-understand language.”
-Simon Yates, Finance Director and Company Secretary, Rota Limited
“The experience has been fantastic, and head and shoulders above our experience with other professional service firms. They are responsive, professional, understanding of our business needs and patient with us as a client.”
-Rob Sandbach, Managing Director, Indiespring
“I thought mlp team’s advocacy at the remote Employment Tribunal hearing was excellent, as was their clear advice on the process throughout. They championed our case professionally and achieved a successful outcome, whilst maintaining a commercial approach.”
– Hospitality sector client, following our
successful defence of a claim of unfair dismissal
Must-read Employment Law Blogs
Demystifying TUPE
18th Dec 2024The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 are intended to...
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The Role of Settlement Agreements in Resolving Employment Disputes
17th Dec 2024Settlement agreements play a crucial role in resolving employment disputes, offering a...
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Mental health in the workplace: legal obligations and best practices for employers
13th Dec 2024Mental health in the workplace is an increasingly important issue that employers...
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Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill
11th Oct 2024Key Changes to Expect Following the Employment Rights Bill On 10th...
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The Impact of Remote Work on Employment Contracts and Policies
20th Aug 2024The impact of remote work on employment contracts and policies has become...
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What are the effects to employees of having two years of continuous employment?
20th Aug 2024In this blog, we will explore the rights of an employee without...
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Effective Strategies for Redundancies and Business Restructuring
20th Aug 2024Navigating redundancies and restructuring in the current economy requires a comprehensive understanding...
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Protecting Workers: TUPE, Whistleblowing Protections, Tribunals and AI
19th Jul 2024TUPE and Whistleblowing Protections Labour aims to ensure employees are not disadvantaged...
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Navigating Change: Business Immigration and Collective Redundancy Consultation
19th Jul 2024Business Immigration In terms of their key pledges for business immigration,...
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Balancing Work and Life: The Right to Disconnect and Menopause Action Plans
19th Jul 2024The Right to Disconnect Labour plans to introduce a right for employees...
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Addressing Equality: Expanding Pay Gap Reporting and Redefining Worker Status
19th Jul 2024Expanding Pay Gap Reporting Currently, there are obligations surrounding gender pay gap...
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Worker’s Rights: Trade Union Reforms and Family-Friendly Rights Under Labour’s New Deal
19th Jul 2024Changes to Trade Union Activity Labour aims to simplify the trade union...
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Health and Flexibility: New Policies on Statutory Sick Pay and Day-One Flexible Working
18th Jul 2024Statutory Sick Pay At present, statutory sick pay is only available after...
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Securing the Workforce: The Future of Zero-Hours Contracts and Unfair Dismissal Protections
18th Jul 2024The Future of Zero Hours Contracts One of the key proposals is...
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The King’s Speech and Employment Law
17th Jul 2024This morning, in the King’s Speech, the legislative agenda for the new...
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Mental Health and the Workplace
4th Jun 2024Mental Health in the workplace and beyond is becoming a touchstone issue;...
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Managing Family Friendly Policies
4th Jun 2024Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, analyses how best to manage family friendly...
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How to handle flexible working requests
31st May 2024How to handle flexible working requests Flexible working requests have been a...
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15 mins read
What would a Labour win in the 2024 UK General Election mean for Employment Law?
30th May 2024What would a Labour win in the 2024 UK General Election mean...
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Employment law changes expected in 2024….and beyond
29th Apr 2024Let’s have a look at the expected and anticipated employment law changes...
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Is Offering a Chair to an Older Employee Age Discrimination?
24th Apr 2024The recent ruling in the case of Edreira v Severn Waste Services...
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Employment Law Developments in 2024
23rd Apr 2024In this blog, we delve into a number of significant Employment Law...
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Work-From-Home Advantage: How to Design a Hybrid Model for Your Business
18th Apr 2024The remote work revolution is here, and many businesses are considering how...
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Q&A Session – Managing Sickness Absence
13th Feb 2024Sickness absence can have a disruptive effect on a business and should...
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Managing the risk of redundancies
5th Feb 2024It’s hard to juggle all the necessary demands involved in a redundancy...
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Changes to Holiday Pay
18th Jan 2024From the beginning of the year, changes to holiday pay calculations, particularly...
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Anticipating a new arrival in 2024?
15th Jan 2024Draft changes to paternity leave Regulations have just been published and Julie...
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Baldness – The New Frontier in Workplace Harassment?
11th Dec 2023Julie Sabba, an associate in the Employment Team, considers a recent Employment...
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The Art of Defending Constructive Dismissal Claims
30th Nov 2023Constructive dismissal refers to a situation where an employee resigns from their...
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Understanding Discrimination Claims in the Employment Tribunal
15th Nov 2023There are so many layers to discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal...
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Settling an Employment Tribunal Claim: The Strategic Choice?
8th Nov 2023Picture this: You’re a business owner, and an Employment Tribunal claim lands...
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The Employment Tribunal Process: From Start to Finish
7th Nov 2023The Employment Tribunal process can appear daunting for an employer. Understanding the...
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What Employers Should Know About the Employment Tribunal Process
6th Nov 2023Navigating the Employment Tribunal process can be a complex and daunting task...
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Common Employment Tribunal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
28th Oct 2023Employment Tribunal claims can be a legal minefield for employers, and even...
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Proposed Legislation aimed at Tackling Bullying at Work
18th Jul 2023Legislation that aims to make preventing bullying at work a stand-alone right...
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Navigating Social Media in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide
10th Jul 2023The increasing use of social media presents both benefits and risks for...
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What does the Philip Schofield Saga tell us about how Employers should handle Relationships at Work?
2nd Jun 2023The recent controversy involving Philip Schofield of This Morning fame is hard...
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Gender Identity in the Workplace
31st May 2023Due to societal and cultural changes in recent years, employers are increasingly...
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18 mins read
The ‘Bonfire’ of EU laws
31st May 2023As a result of the Brexit vote in 2016, the Government has...
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Costs Awarded against Employee Claiming Work Email was Sexual Harassment
31st May 2023An IT worker who sued her boss for sexual harassment, after believing...
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Last Orders for Booze at Work Parties
11th May 2023Julie Sabba, an Associate in MLP’s Employment team, considers a new survey...
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Bullying in the Workplace
27th Apr 2023The issue of bullying in the workplace has come to the fore...
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Sexual Misconduct Dismissal at the CBI
13th Apr 2023The boss of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has been dismissed...
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Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for Coronation?
6th Apr 2023To mark the King’s Coronation, an additional bank holiday has been announced...
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The ‘hot topic’ of Menopause in the workplace
28th Mar 2023The Employment Team address the increasingly topical issue of managing and supporting...
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Can you retract a job offer?
28th Mar 2023Can you retract a job offer? Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment,...
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The right to request a more predictable work pattern
16th Mar 2023Julie Sabba, an Associate in Employment at MLP, considers The Workers (Predictable...
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Mental Health and the Workplace
28th Feb 2023Mental Health in the workplace and beyond is becoming a touchstone issue;...
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16 mins read
High Court refuses to strike out a claim for misuse of private information by an ex-employer
22nd Feb 2023Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP Law, reviews the High Court’s...
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2 mins read
Government launches consultation on calculating holiday pay
22nd Feb 2023The Supreme Court decision in Harpur Trust v Brazel, (the 5.6 weeks’...
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1 min read
Fire and Rehire Draft Guidance Published
2nd Feb 2023The Government has published guidance, setting out commercial best practice when employers...
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Managing Family Friendly Policies
31st Jan 2023Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, analyses how best to manage family friendly...
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8 mins read
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake!
31st Jan 2023Julie Sabba, an Associate in Employment, refrains from eating a chocolate éclair,...
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1 min read
No finding of disability discrimination following the dismissal of a disabled employee
31st Jan 2023Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, examines a recent decision in the Employment...
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3 mins read
UK Government Rejects Calls To Make Menopause A Protected Characteristic
31st Jan 2023The Government has published its response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s...
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£50K Pay Out for Dyslexic M&S Worker Sacked for E-mail Errors
6th Jan 2023A former employee of Marks and Spencer has successfully sued the company...
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Council forks out almost £5,000 for “offensive comments”
14th Dec 2022An employer – Rotherham Council – has been ordered to pay almost...
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Right to Request Flexible Working from First Day of Employment
6th Dec 2022The Government have committed to creating legislation to allow employees to make...
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Everything isn’t peachy!
1st Dec 2022A senior female manager has successfully claimed sex-based harassment and victimisation after...
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Everything you wanted to know about…Flexible Working Request…but were too afraid to ask!
23rd Nov 2022Flexible working requests have been a useful tool for employees for many...
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Working like a dog? Literally! The Pro’s and Con’s of bringing pets to the workplace
22nd Nov 2022Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, considers the recent trend for pets in...
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Could Manchester United Sack Ronaldo?
16th Nov 2022Update: 23rd November 2022 A few days after the publication of our...
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Impact of Changes to IR35 Regime
26th Oct 2022Julie Sabba, MLP’s Employment associate, analyses the likely effect of the recent...
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Changes in right to work checks from 1 October 2022
26th Oct 2022Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, summarises the changes in right to work...
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Does an employer require to consult before deciding on a pool of one?
25th Oct 2022Yes, says the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in a decision last week...
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EU Employment Laws to be repealed in December 2023
7th Oct 2022MLP’s Head of Employment, Gareth Matthews, provides an update on a recently...
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Discrimination Claim after Scrapped Period Dignity Officer Role
22nd Sep 2022Julie Sabba, an associate in MLP’s employment team, considers a recent news...
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Is Being an Ardent Supporter of a Football Club a Characteristic Protected by Equality Law?
16th Sep 2022Julie Sabba, an associate in MLP’s employment team, considers a recent employment...
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Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for the State Funeral?
14th Sep 2022With the passing of the Queen, at the age of 96, a...
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Does my business need a policy on social media use for my employees? #Yes
24th Aug 2022The ever increasing popularity of social media means that your employees are...
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Redundancies: A guide to getting them right as a small business
24th Aug 2022Dealing with redundancies can be difficult for any business. Often it feels...
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Using Probationary Periods Effectively
24th Aug 2022It is estimated that around 1 in 5 new recruits fail probationary...
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What are protected conversations?
24th Aug 2022A “protected conversation” is effectively a way for an employer to have...
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Wellness in the Workplace
27th Jul 2022Mental health apps, menopause support, mindfulness sessions, gym subsidies, counselling helplines …...
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Part-Time Workers Rights
26th Jul 2022Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment, summarises the rights that part-time workers and...
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Early Conciliation: How to Avoid the Employment Tribunal
22nd Jul 2022The obvious route to avoid a hearing in the Employment Tribunal is...
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Can it Ever be Too Hot to Work?
15th Jul 2022As the Met Office has issued a rare amber weather extreme heat...
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Religion and belief in the workplace
14th Jul 2022Julie Sabba, an associate in the Employment Team, comments on the decision...
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Wider range of health professionals able to grant fit notes
23rd Jun 2022Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP, outlines and considers new legislation...
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Advising managers: how to suspend an employee
17th Jun 2022Our clients often ask us for practical tips on commonplace issues...
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12 mins read
Employee Ownership Trust – Is it an option for you and your business?
16th Jun 2022With the news that Carlton Bingo becomes the latest well known company...
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The Changing Landscape of the Workplace
15th Apr 2021Welcome to our series of blogs, addressing post-lockdown issues from a legal...
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4 mins read
Are you ready to take your career to the next level?
29th Mar 2021A uniquely hybrid model where you work to your own beat and...
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1 min read
Updated shielding guidance
23rd Mar 2021From 1 April 2021, employees categorised as “extremely clinically vulnerable” are no...
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1 min read
Is a “no jab, no job” policy really enforceable?
18th Mar 2021We all understand that an employer cannot compel an employee to be...
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5 mins read
Refusing to work – how might employers’ health and safety obligations affect post-lockdown plans?
18th Mar 2021Prime Minster Boris Johnson’s much publicised “roadmap” out of the current lockdown...
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Right to refuse to work in unsafe working environment to be extended to workers as well as employees
18th Mar 2021The Government has outlined new Regulations which extend the provisions of section...
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1 min read
Managing stress in the Workplace
28th Apr 2021“There cannot be a stressful crisis next week – my schedule is...
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Recruitment in the New Normal
14th Jun 2021Welcome to our series of blogs, addressing post-lockdown issues from a legal...
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Nursery worker sacked after revealing pregnancy awarded £40,000
17th Jun 2021A former nursery manager, described by an Employment Tribunal Judge as having...
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1 min read
Managing Annual Leave Post-Lockdown
11th May 2021Welcome to our series of blogs, addressing post-lockdown issues from a legal...
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Line of Duty?
14th May 2021“When did we stop caring about honesty and integrity” asked Superintendent Hastings...
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When is a bonus not a bonus..?
21st May 2021…when it’s actually a cyber-security test for employees! A recent email to...
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Become an MLPlus Partner
1st Mar 2021The Future is in your hands when you become an MLPlus Partner....
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Employee Ownership Trusts
18th Nov 2020What is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)? The EOT was introduced by...
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Deadlines for lodging furlough claims
26th Nov 2020HMRC has made it clear that there are strict time limits for...
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Employee Benefit Trusts
1st Dec 2020What is an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)? An EBT is a discretionary...
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Share Incentives: A Brief Overview of Employee Benefit Trusts and Employee Ownership Trusts
16th Nov 2020What is an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)? An EBT is a discretionary...
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HMRC publishes guidance on the extended furlough scheme
11th Nov 2020HMRC has published further guidance in respect of the now extended Coronavirus...
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2 mins read
Share-based Incentives for Private Companies
23rd Sep 2020When a company is considering share-based incentives for employees, it is key...
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4 mins read
Job Support Scheme Announced
25th Sep 2020Rishi Sunak has announced various measures to support employers and employees, amidst...
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1 min read
Amendment to Job Support Scheme
22nd Oct 2020Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a further amendment to the Job Support...
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1 min read
Job Support Scheme
28th Oct 2020To say that businesses have faced challenging times in the last few...
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CJRS (Furlough) Scheme Extended to March 2021
6th Nov 2020The Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will...
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Short term business visitors in the post-Brexit era
18th Feb 2021Following the end of the Brexit transition period, the rules on business...
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Uber drivers are workers, rules UK Supreme Court
19th Feb 2021Uber drivers are “workers” under UK law, so says the UK Supreme...
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Coronavirus and the GDPR
24th Feb 2021Back in 2018, the shakeup of the UK data protection regime brought...
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Employee Grievance After Resignation
5th Feb 2021A recent case has highlighted an area where employers must exercise caution,...
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2 mins read
Managing Performance Management
7th Jan 2021During the last few months of unprecedented change and often emergency interventions...
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2 mins read
Increased Diversity in Flexible Working
14th Jan 2021Flexible working has become more popular with male employees since the beginning...
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2 mins read
Can I dismiss an employee who refuses to be vaccinated?
20th Jan 2021With the vaccine roll out underway in the UK, it is hoped...
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3 mins read
The EU Settlement Scheme – what now?
26th Jan 2021You may have seen our blog from early December 2021, in which...
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6 mins read
The Return of Homeworking – how our Toolkit can benefit you
9th Dec 2021With the Government announcing tighter restrictions to combat Covid-19, particularly the new...
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1 min read
Fear of Catching Covid at Work is not a Protected Philosophical Belief
7th Jan 2022A recent decision in the Manchester Employment Tribunal has determined that staff...
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2 mins read
Ikea Not to Pay Full Sick Pay to Unvaccinated Staff
19th Jan 2022As businesses continue to attempt to navigate the Pandemic landscape, this week...
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2 mins read
Vaccine Refusing Care Worker was Fairly Dismissed
26th Jan 2022A recent employment tribunal decision found that the dismissal of a care...
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4 mins read
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4 mins read
Performance Management and Remote Working
22nd Oct 2021An intrinsic part of good management is ensuring that staff are performing...
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9 mins read
Consultation on making Flexible Working the Default
27th Oct 2021n response to proposals set out in the government’s Good Work Plan...
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1 min read
Court Decision Weakens Union’s Collective Bargaining Rights
4th Nov 2021In businesses that have recognised an independent trade union and are therefore...
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2 mins read
Make the most of your mlpflex Retainer
5th Nov 2021How would you like 2 free MLP Flex hours? We want the...
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2 mins read
Post-termination restrictions: what are they and are they enforceable?
24th Nov 2021Senior contracts of employment typically contain clauses to protect an employer in...
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7 mins read
Football Managers and Employment Law
24th Nov 2021The managerial merry-go-round has been in full swing during the 2021-2022 season,...
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5 mins read
Unfair Dismissal and Voluntary Redundancy
26th Apr 2022In light of a case which allowed a claimant to proceed with...
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3 mins read
Everything you ever wanted to know about Redundancies, but were too afraid to ask
27th Apr 2022Dealing with redundancies can be difficult for any business. Often it feels...
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9 mins read
What Constitutes The Last Straw In Constructive Dismissal Claims?
6th May 2022In this week’s blog, an associate in MLP’s Employment Team, Julie Sabba,...
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3 mins read
Remote and Hybrid Working and Changes to Working Practices
13th May 2022Gareth Matthews, Head of Employment at MLP Law, considers the changes to...
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4 mins read
Injury to Feelings Compensation in Discrimination Claims
7th Apr 2022In light of the recent inflationary increase in compensation levels for injury...
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4 mins read
The Principle of Horseplay and Vicarious Liability
29th Mar 2022In the recent case of Chell v Tarmac Cement and Lime Limited...
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2 mins read
The End of Covid Restrictions – What Now for Employers?
24th Mar 2022Yesterday saw the remaining Covid provisions relating to SSP end, meaning that...
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4 mins read
Government Announcement – New gratuity and tipping bill in the works
23rd Feb 2022The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy...
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1 min read
Government lifts all Covid-19 restrictions – what does this mean for your business?
23rd Feb 2022On 21st February 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that, from Thursday...
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3 mins read
‘Worker status’ leads to successful claim for Backdated Holiday Pay
10th Mar 2022Having succeeded in a previous claim, asserting that he was a worker...
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2 mins read
What should P&O have done?
18th Mar 2022The news that P&O Ferries has decided to sack 800 employees and...
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4 mins read
Are Employees Entitled to an Extra Day of Holiday for Jubilee?
23rd May 2022This year, it has been decided that the Spring bank holiday (normally...
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2 mins read
When can an Employer have a Protected Conversation?
14th Oct 2021As all good employers know, there is little to be gained from...
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3 mins read
The Pandemic and Annual Leave
22nd Jun 2021Recent travel chaos has not dimmed the desire of many to travel...
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3 mins read
Taking the ‘Free’ out of ‘Freedom’ Day – Considerations for Employers
19th Jul 2021As the 19 July, dubbed ‘Freedom Day’, approaches many employers are having...
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3 mins read
Managing the “pingdemic” – when do my employees need to self-isolate?
28th Jul 2021As COVID infection rates remain high, and the so-called “pingdemic” continues to...
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3 mins read
Your health and safety obligations post-Freedom Day – freedom in, health and safety out?
28th Jul 2021For many people, 19th July 2021 was “Freedom Day”, when the majority...
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2 mins read
“Hybrid working” – what is it and how do you get it right?
28th Jul 2021There is no denying that the COVID19 pandemic has drastically changed the...
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4 mins read
Your post-Freedom Day workplace
28th Jul 2021Keen followers of our Employment Law blogs will have seen our recent...
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4 mins read
mlpfles – Don’t just take our word for it
5th Aug 2021MLP Flex is great! It’s the perfect solution for proactively, and cost...
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3 mins read
Can employers reduce salary for homeworking employees?
16th Sep 2021With increasing numbers of staff expected to return to the workplace, many...
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2 mins read
Paid time off for Covid Vaccines
27th Sep 2021A recent study by ACAS (the employment conciliation service) showed that 75%...
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3 mins read
MLP Law’s Furlough Review
30th Sep 2021Workplaces have changed a lot in the past 18 months and employers...
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1 min read
Top Tips for Employers as Furlough Ends
13th Sep 2021With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) due to end later this...
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5 mins read
North West Businesses amongst most Confident in UK about Economic Recovery
3rd Sep 2021A survey of British business confidence has highlighted an optimistic attitude, predicting...
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2 mins read
Case Study: mlpflex
19th Aug 2021Most businesses only call their Solicitor when things go wrong and they...
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3 mins read
Menopause in the Workplace
25th Aug 2021The entire working population is ageing, with more of us working for...
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3 mins read
The NHS Covid Pass
25th Aug 2021With the introduction of the Government’s new NHS Covid Pass (the Pass),...
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3 mins read
Employment Tribunal Covid Decisions
26th Aug 2021As personnel decisions made by businesses and employers during the pressure of...
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4 mins read
Compulsory Retirement and Age Discrimination
5th Oct 2021Although there is no longer a default retirement age implied by law,...
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4 mins read
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about….Managing Sickness Absence…but were too afraid to ask
17th Sep 2020Sickness absence can have a disruptive effect on a business and should...
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4 mins read
Virgin Atlantic Removes Cabin Crew Make-Up Policy
8th Mar 2019Virgin Atlantic recently announced that it is changing its dress code, so...
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3 mins read
What is a protected conversation?
4th Feb 2019A protected conversation is a way for your employer to have an...
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3 mins read
Are vegans protected from discrimination?
24th Oct 2018In April 2018, the Guardian published an article about the “unstoppable rise...
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3 mins read
Settlement Agreements & the British #MeToo scandal
25th Oct 2018Sir Philip Green has been named in Parliament as a businessman who...
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3 mins read
Banter or Bullying?
29th Oct 2018“There has obviously from time to time been some banter, but as...
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4 mins read
Does my business need a policy on social media use for my employees? #Yes
28th Jan 2019The ever increasing popularity of social media means that your employees are...
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3 mins read
Mental Health Awareness Week – How can you promote well-being in your workplace?
15th May 2019As an employer, mental health and well-being should be high on your...
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2 mins read
Should you pay staff for working before or after their contractual hours?
20th May 2019Employees are obliged to work the hours set out in their employment...
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3 mins read
Common misconceptions preventing businesses from using mediation
9th May 2019Mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential way of resolving workplace disputes...
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2 mins read
Top 5 things you need to know about our innovative product mlpflex
18th Apr 2019One size doesn’t fit all – MLP Flex is a tailored Legal...
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1 min read
Debenhams – How their recent announcement signals change in the retail sector and how this might affect you.
29th Apr 2019Debenhams’ recent announcement that it would be closing 22 stores, a decision...
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2 mins read
What can you do if your employees are late due to public transport chaos?
12th Jun 2019You may have seen that one of this week’s headlines is the...
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2 mins read
GDPR and the Tendering process
24th Apr 2018The new data protection regulations, or GDPR as it is most commonly...
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2 mins read
Do I need a visa to work in the UK?
24th May 2018Prior to starting a job in the UK, an employer must check...
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3 mins read
The World Cup: Goals For Employers
5th Jun 2018Just when we thought the football season was over, from Thursday 14...
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3 mins read
Worker or Self-employed? EAT find Addison Lee cyclists to be workers and not self-employed
11th Jun 2018The latest high profile case brought by individuals challenging the so called...
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3 mins read
Employers Guide to Apprenticeships
17th Apr 2018What is an Apprenticeship? An apprenticeship benefits both employers and individuals, by...
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4 mins read
EEA-workers in the UK labour market: Interim Update
27th Mar 2018In July 2017 the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) was commissioned by the...
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3 mins read
Can you retract a job offer?
27th Mar 2018It has recently hit the headlines that Uber have retracted an offer...
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3 mins read
How do I bring a claim against my employer?
14th Mar 2018Bringing a claim against your employer can be daunting, so we have...
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3 mins read
What visa do I need for the UK?
16th Mar 2018Who needs a visa for the UK? British citizens, Commonwealth citizens...
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3 mins read
GDPR: Is consent enough to allow employers to process employee’s data?
16th Mar 2018As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...
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4 mins read
GDPR: Do employers need to update their data protection policies to make them GDPR compliant?
20th Mar 2018As part of our series of short blogs about the General Data...
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1 min read
Spitting feathers – what does the Jamie Carragher incident tell us about how employers deal with misconduct outside of work?
20th Mar 2018The details of the incident involving ex-Liverpool FC player Jamie Carragher do...
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2 mins read
Summer is here: 5 Employment issues all employers face over summer
26th Jun 2018Summer has landed and temperatures are set to soar. But as employers...
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2 mins read
A coffee with Stephen Attree
27th Jun 2018The legal industry has experienced a period of flux in recent years,...
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5 mins read
How does the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) affect legal services?
16th Aug 2018There is an AI buzz in the air at the moment –...
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3 mins read
Schoolgirl awarded £16,000 in Pizza Hut sexual harassment case
24th Aug 2018A London schoolgirl has been awarded compensation by an employment tribunal in...
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3 mins read
Baffled by right to work checks?
28th Aug 2018During the first quarter of 2018, the Home Office handed out £7.7...
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2 mins read
Beware the ‘offer of help’ from recruiters!
11th Sep 2018Recruiters can be loved or loathed but if they are not approached...
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2 mins read
Jose Mourinho v Anthony Martial and the right to paternity leave
8th Aug 2018It has been reported in the media this week that Manchester United...
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2 mins read
Retrospective sleep-in payments worth £400m put to bed
3rd Aug 2018An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision that a care worker working for...
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2 mins read
My employees are resigning, what can I do?!
16th Jul 2018It’s been another interesting week for the Prime Minister, with ministers and...
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2 mins read
Top 7 tips for international students wanting to work in the UK
25th Jul 2018Many international students at UK universities will be keen to continue their...
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3 mins read
Employers’ guide to EU Settlement Scheme
26th Jul 2018The Government is still trying to reach agreement with the EU on...
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2 mins read
Proactive vs Reactive: use your time wisely
30th Jul 2018The Telegraph has reported that one of the major ways businesses waste...
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3 mins read
Employer’s CJRS Guidance Update
5th May 2020At the beginning of May further guidance was published for employers in...
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1 min read
Everything you wanted to know about…Unfair Dismissal…but were too afraid to ask.
7th May 2020This week we start our new series, examining key employment law concepts. ...
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3 mins read
Chancellor confirms that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to continue until October 2020.
12th May 2020The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has today confirmed that the...
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1 min read
Returning to work: Who? How? When?
12th May 2020On Sunday 10 May 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced significant changes...
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3 mins read
Everything you wanted to know about…Annual Leave…but were too afraid to ask!
15th May 2020The legislation and rules surrounding annual leave can often be difficult to...
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5 mins read
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Portal Open
20th Apr 2020The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal, allowing employers to reclaim up to...
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1 min read
Update – Further guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
17th Apr 2020The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has recently announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention...
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1 min read
Furlough Leave – Update
26th Mar 2020Following our recent blog on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme that was...
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1 min read
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
27th Mar 2020Ever since the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was announced by the Chancellor...
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3 mins read
Workers to be allowed to carry over 4 weeks of annual leave for 2 years
30th Mar 2020The government has announced it is allowing workers to carry over up...
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1 min read
Further guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
6th Apr 2020Very early on Saturday morning (4 April 2020), further Government advice on...
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2 mins read
Furloughing employees and your return to work.
22nd May 2020An interactive Q&A session on the do’s and don’ts of the Coronavirus...
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1 min read
Everything you wanted to know about…Disciplinary Procedures…but were too afraid to ask!
27th May 2020Disciplining employees is an inevitable part of running a business and needs...
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4 mins read
Everything you wanted to know about…Grievances…but were too afraid to ask!
6th Aug 2020From time to time, every employer will receive a grievance from one...
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3 mins read
Everything you wanted to know about…Redundancy…but were too afraid to ask!
16th Jul 2020No business likes making redundancies. However, when it becomes necessary to do...
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3 mins read
Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – how will the scheme work between June and October 2020?
1st Jun 2020Throughout May we heard a lot of talk about changes to the...
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3 mins read
How to calculate your claim for flexibly furloughed employees.
15th Jun 2020The Government has published a “flexible furlough” working example, which sets out...
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1 min read
Everything you wanted to know about…Discrimination…but were too afraid to ask!
18th Jun 2020The majority of employers strive to promote equality and diversity in their...
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3 mins read
Chancellor’s Summer Statement – a Summary
9th Jul 2020Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has presented his summer statement, announcing...
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3 mins read
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Q & A
24th Mar 2020We are frequently being asked questions about the new Coronavirus Job Retention...
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4 mins read
What is an NDA and why are they in the news?
12th Jul 2019You may have seen many headlines recently discussing NDAs. The abbreviation stands...
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1 min read
BBC taken to tribunal over unequal pay
7th Nov 2019Samira Ahmed, presenter for the BBC, has claimed that the BBC are...
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1 min read
Footballer appealing decision to dismiss him over a car crash which left him injured – while his two colleagues were fined.
11th Nov 2019Richard Keogh, a 33-year-old footballer, has had his contract terminated by Derby...
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2 mins read
Cricket Australia has introduced maternity leave for the first time – how do your maternity rights compare?
18th Nov 2019Prior to the new maternity policy, which has been three years in...
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2 mins read
Labour Party pledges on Employment Law
21st Nov 2019Today the Labour party has published its highly anticipated manifesto in advance...
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3 mins read
Pochettino shown the red card by Spurs: the law on unfair dismissal
22nd Nov 2019On Wednesday evening Mauricio Pochettino was sacked as Tottenham’s manager after five...
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3 mins read
Political pledges and proposed policies on Employment Law
3rd Dec 2019In one of our previous articles on 21 November, we detailed some...
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2 mins read
The clown in the room – The right to be accompanied to meetings in the UK
17th Sep 2019But even if an employee thought it was a good idea to...
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1 min read
Encouraging employee-commitment through long service benefits
12th Aug 2019Employee benefits are non-cash provisions that are of financial value and cost...
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2 mins read
Judge rules against employee who lost job over transgender tweets
20th Dec 2019Is a belief that there are two biological sexes in humans, and...
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2 mins read
Coronavirus: Workers will receive statutory sick pay from first day off work
4th Mar 2020Boris Johnson has today announced that workers in the UK will be...
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2 mins read
Advice for Employers during the Coronavirus Outbreak
18th Mar 2020Coronavirus: New SSP Regs re self-isolation The Statutory Sick Pay (General)...
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4 mins read
Government to pay up to 80% of wages in Coronavirus outbreak:
20th Mar 2020Chancellor Rishi Sunak has this evening announced unprecedented economic measures to help...
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2 mins read
BBC loses equal pay claim
15th Jan 2020After months of controversy surrounding the BBC and whispers of gender pay...
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2 mins read
Former investment banker wins age discrimination case against Citigroup Inc.
20th Jan 2020Mr Niels Kirk, a former investment banker at Citibank, was unfairly dismissed...
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2 mins read
Do I have to offer flexible working?
5th Feb 2020As we continue to progress towards an ever more modern working world,...
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4 mins read
