Employment News

Recent Employment Law Changes

As today, 6th April 2015, marks the Spring Common Commencement Date, employers should be aware of a number of changes to employment law which have now come into effect. These include: 

Increasing the rate of statutory sick pay from £87. 55 per week to £88. Read more

Employment Checks

The right to work in the UK 

When hiring staff, employers must make sure that the employee has the right to work in the UK as the penalty for employing an illegal worker may be a fine of up to £20,000. Read more

Investigating Misconduct

Does an employer have to investigate every line of defence put forward by an employee when considering allegations of misconduct?

No, said the Court of Appeal in the case of Shrestha v Genesis Housing Association Limited. Read more

Sickness Absence and Constructive Dismissal

Does claiming sick pay constitute acceptance of an employee’s contract of employment, thereby preventing a successful claim for constructive dismissal?

Possibly, according to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in the case of Mari –v- Reuters Ltd. Read more

Can private "tweets" justify dismissal?

Yes, but depending on the circumstances, said the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in the case of Games Retail Ltd –v- Laws.  

Mr Laws was responsible for over 100 retail stores. Read more

The Introduction of Shared Parental Leave

New legislation came into force today to implement a new shared parental leave scheme which will apply to all babies who are due, or children who are adopted, on or after 5th April 2015. Read more

Deductions from Wages must be Detailed

There are strict rules governing how and when employers are permitted to make deductions from employees’ wages. Read more

Employment Seminars

Mackinnons will be hosting two employment seminars. If you are local to either our Aberdeen or Aboyne offices, you are welcome to join us at either/both of our employment seminars on 31st October and 11th November 2014. Seminar details. Read more

Time off for Ante-natal Appointments

As of today, 1st October 2014, the right to attend ante-natal appointments has been extended from applying to only employed pregnant women to other expectant parents. Read more

Territorial Jurisdiction of the UK Employment Tribunal

Does an Employment Tribunal, in deciding whether an employee who lives and works abroad is able to raise a claim of unfair dismissal in the UK, have to make a comparison between the employee’s connection with Great Britain and the employee’s connection with the foreign country?  No, said the Court… Read more