As World Mental Health Day approaches (10 October 2020), research from charity Mind found that more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) said their mental health got worse during lockdown. Their research also confirms that a culture of fear and silence around mental health at work is costly...
The Government has published the detailed guidance on the Job Retention Bonus (JRB). As announced previously, the Job Retention Bonus is one-off £1,000 taxable payment for each eligible employee furloughed and kept continuously employed until 31 January 2021. The bonus itself can be claimed between 15 February 2021 and 31 March 2021. You can claim...
On 14 August, Government published guidance for employers if an employee has to self-isolate after returning to the UK. It covers options if an employee is out of the country when a quarantine is announced, suggesting employees should talk to their employer as soon as possible. NB Employers who dismiss an employee because they have...
Young people aged 16-24 are currently at risk of facing long-term unemployment – particularly those on Universal Credit. The Government’s Kickstart scheme will subsidise six-month work placements. For each job under the kickstart scheme, the government will cover the cost of 25 hours’ work a week at National Minimum Wage level, with employers able to...
The Government has published a new document on the extended furlough scheme, detailing the measures to improve its flexibility. Of note is that the date for flexibility has been brought forward to 1 July. From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and...
Test and Trace and contacting local health protection teams The test and trace guidance for businesses has been updated, with a new section related to multiple outbreaks in a workplace. Under the new guidance, if there is more than one case of COVID-19 associated with a workplace, employers should contact their local health protection team...
Government has announced that a new flexible furloughing scheme is now to be brought forward to start on 1 July. This new scheme will mean employers can bring back furloughed employees for any amount of time and on any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked....
The Government has produced further guidance for businesses on how to use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme which has just opened. This guidance includes information on how to calculate periods that you are able to reclaim, the information needed to make a claim and the records that businesses need to keep. In order...
Government has posted new videos to help employers and employees affected by coronavirus. Among the subjects covered are: Self-Employment Income Support Scheme; Statutory Sick Pay rebate; CJRS/furloughing; and helping employers support employees. See all
Government made changes to its CJRS guidance on 1 and 11 May. This now includes: Employee guidance: Furloughed employees who are union or non-union representatives may undertake duties and activities for the purpose of individual/collective representation of employees or workers. Confirmation that Company Directors paid annually are eligible to claim. Employees receiving Maternity Allowance during...