High Street Retailer Next accused of flouting refund rules - 27/Jul/2010
An investigation launched by the BBC has highlighted that retailer Next along with other mail order companies have been flouting certain consumer rules by failing to offer a refund of delivery charges when items bought online are returned as a result of being faulty. Read more …
Employee Share Ownership - 20/Jul/2010
Employee share ownership is a term used when a business is owned in whole or in part by its employees. Employee share ownership can take many forms. Employees are often given the opportunity to buy shares in the business after a certain length of employment or upon the happening of certain events. Some companies make formal arrangements for employee participation, called employee share ownership plans (ESOPs). Employee shareholders will have varying degrees of influence on decision making. Read more …
Developing Case Law - Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures - 15/Jul/2010
Obtaining evidence The case of Salford NHS Trust v Roldan now provides some guidance as to the level of investigation required at the early stage of disciplinary proceedings. It was held that where evidence provided by a witness raises unanswered questions, is inconsistent or conflicts with the views of others then this should be followed up. Read more …
The Importance of Making a Will - 13/Jul/2010
Following the announcement in the Pre-Budget Report in October 2007 of the introduction of transferability of the nil rate band on the death of the first spouse/civil partner, some may have taken the view that the need for making a seemingly complex Will for inheritance tax purposes or even making a Will in the first place, has been diminished. Read more …
Cutting corners costs more in the long run - 13/Jul/2010
During May 2010 the Health and Safety Executive levied a number of fines on employers for failing to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It is easy to become complacent about health and safety at work; however, this may lead to injury to your employees and result in costs to the business. Read more …
Living longer and saving less for retirement will not add up - 13/Jul/2010
Following on from the Pension Commission's report the government passed the Pensions Act 2008 implementing a number of the Commission's recommendations. The Commission's report concluded that many people were not saving for retirement, and that those who were had pension funds that fell below the level required at retirement. Read more …
Redundancy: To what extent should women on maternity leave be afforded special treatment? - 13/Jul/2010
During maternity leave women benefit from a period of heightened protection in relation to a number of situations including redundancy. If an employee is selected for redundancy on grounds relating to her maternity leave, the dismissal will be automatically unfair. Under the Maternity and Parental Leave etc Regulations 1999 ('MPL Regulations') special provisions apply where during an employee's maternity leave it is not possible for an employee to return under her existing contract of employment by reason of redundancy. Read more …
Research Shows A Healthy Workforce Leads to a Healthy Profit - 13/Jul/2010
In the current economic climate where businesses are looking to cut costs, investing in workplace wellness programmes is the last thing on most employers' minds. However, government and private sector research shows that wellness programmes can have a positive impact on profit. Read more …
To What Extent Can Previous Conduct Be Taken Into Consideration When Deciding To Dismiss? - 13/Jul/2010
It is an all too common scenario; an employee is involved in an incident that warrants disciplinary action. The employer deals with it leniently and no formal warning is given, the employee is then alleged to have committed an act of gross - misconduct and the employer wants to dismiss the employee. Can the employer rely on the previous misconduct of the employee even though no formal warning was given? Read more …
International Patent Fast Track Scheme For UK - 13/Jul/2010
David Cameron has recently unveiled a fast track scheme of international patent applications. The UK is among the first to introduce such a fast track scheme and the Prime Minister confirmed that the aim was “to reduce the global backlog which stifles growth and enterprise”, which costs the global economy an estimated £7.6 billion every year if patents are delayed. Read more …
