Mental health first aiders should be compulsory in the same way a physical first aider is, solicitor and managing director of employment boutique Thrive Law has said as she launches a campaign to compel employers to provide a mental health first-aider for their staff. Jodie Hill has posted a petition on change.org calling for the law to be amended. Under current law the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to satisfy various obligations in respect of equipment and facilities in the workplace, and what should be done... Continue reading

The Supreme Court has handed down its long-awaited landmark decision in the appeal of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v. Haywood, ruling that notice of termination takes effect neither when the termination letter is posted by the employer, nor when it is put through the employee's front door – but when the employee actually reads it. The Supreme Court found in favour of Sandi Haywood, an NHS worker whose managers sent her notification that her role was redundant while she was on holiday. It centred on the timing of her d... Continue reading

Employers that refuse to pay workplace pension fines could have their assets seized to pay their debts. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) issues fines to employers that fail to meet their automatic enrolment duties and can secure court orders if the debts are not paid. TPR is to now appoint High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) to enforce court orders in England and Wales and the equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland on those employers that have refused or failed to comply. If an employer does not pay its debt, HCEOs could visit the busin... Continue reading

The latest gig economy case to be tested in court started on 30 April, with courier firm Hermes facing action from GMB Union members. The legal action, which follows GMB’s landmark success against Uber, is on behalf of eight Hermes couriers who believe they are being denied basic workers' rights by being forced to declare as self-employed. Hermes has become a household name, providing courier services for firms like Next, ASOS, John Lewis, Topshop and River Island. If the GMB members' case is successful, the company could be forced to cha... Continue reading

The Minister for Disabled People has announced a new Tech Fund as part of Access to Work, offering employers significant savings on the cost of assistive technology for disabled employees. The news came as the Minister spoke in Birmingham on 27 April at Naidex, Europe’s largest assistive technology conference. Access to Work provides financial support to ensure someone’s disability or health condition does not hold them back at work, and can cover assistive technology, workplace adaptations, transport and interpreters. Previously, mediu... Continue reading