Employment

Children raising hands in the air

Could your volunteers actually be workers?

Well-intentioned payments or gifts to volunteers can lead churches and charities into difficulty. Key takeaways Understand the legal distinctions: Know the difference between volunteers, workers, and employees. Be cautious with payments: Even well-intentioned payments or gifts can change a volunteer’s status. Use resources: Utilise resources such as our Volunteer Pack for guidance on maintaining volunteer … Read more …

A Church Legal Compliance Checklist

The Charity Commission. Employment law. Property Regulations. Data Protection. Sometimes complying with the law can seem complicated and burdensome to churches. Which policies and procedures do churches legally need? We’re here to help. We at Edward Connor Solicitors understand that churches want to be legally compliant as part of their service to Jesus and we … Read more …

Two lambs in a field

Your employment policies and procedures: time for a spring-clean?

Spring is certainly here with buds blooming and lambs leaping in the fields! As we often think about spring-cleaning our homes, could it be time for a spring-clean of our employment policies and procedures too? Changes in employment law this year Employment law is ever changing and evolving. This spring is no exception with an … Read more …

Changes to Employment Law in 2024

After a relatively quiet period regarding changes to employment law, we now have a “London Bus” situation, with a number turning up at once. Updated copies of the Employment Pack, Worker Pack and Voluntary Worker Pack, incorporating the changes, are available for purchase on our website. For those who are subscribed to our Premium service, … Read more …

Changes to holiday pay and carer’s leave in 2024

As we head into 2024 there are some important changes to holiday pay and leave entitlements coming into effect that we want you to be aware of. Changes to Holiday Pay The Government announced in 2023 their intention to allow “rolled up” holiday pay for some part-time employees and workers (those who work for periods … Read more …

Worker Protection Bill – update on third party harassment

In our recent employment bulletin we flagged that we expected to see changes in the law around third party harassment (for example how your staff are treated by visitors). Recent amendments to the ‘Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill’ meant that we weren’t expecting the changes to come into force anytime soon. Two … Read more …

Hot drink next to a bed

Holiday, sickness, and other leave: updated Acas guidance and tools.

Managing holiday entitlement, sickness absence, and other leave can be a complex business. It can also prove costly when employers get it wrong. Acas (an independent public body whose role includes helping to improve workplace relationships) have improved their online resources to help employers to do this well. New and updated resources include a useful … Read more …

Woman sitting at a desk facing a computer monitor

Legislation passed amending flexible working rights

After 26 weeks’ employment, employees have the right to request flexible working, for example asking to change their working days, hours or place of work. Parliament has just passed the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023.  When it comes into force (which could be no later than August 2024) it will make various changes to … Read more …

Padlock and SIM cards on keyboard

New guidance for employers on Subject Access Requests

The right of access, commonly referred to as a Subject Access Request, or SAR, gives individuals the right to request a copy of their personal data from organisations. Last month the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) published new guidance for employers on responding to SARs. The new guidance is published in question and answer format, referring … Read more …