Generally, an employer that uses clear words of dismissal will be taken to have dismissed the employee and the question of what a reasonable person might have understood does not arise.  Unless it can be shown that the termination represented…

Checklist: health and safety According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2009/10, 1,033 offences were prosecuted by the HSE (and the Office of Rail Regulation), with a further 287 offences prosecuted by local authorities. 15,881 enforcement notices were…

Checklist: automatic pension enrolment This checklist explains the obligations that the automatic pension enrolment requirements place on your business. What is auto-enrolment? From October 2012, your business will be required to automatically enrol eligible “jobholders” in a pension scheme. A…

Checklist: restrictive covenants in employment contracts This checklist explains what restrictive covenants are, when they are likely to be enforceable and how they can be used in employment contracts to protect your business’ interests. What is a restrictive covenant and…

This checklist highlights the risks that your business and your employees should be aware of when using the internet or sending e-mails and gives some practical suggestions of how to minimise those risks. Reputational risks Information that is written on…

This business briefing sets out the key issues a business should consider before entering into a compromise agreement with an employee. What is a compromise agreement? A compromise agreement is a legally binding agreement between a business and an employee…

Criminal record information: business briefing This business briefing sets out the issues a business should consider when dealing with information about a criminal record. Businesses are entitled to ask a job applicant, an employee or worker, or a volunteer about…

Discrimination and harassment: business briefing This business briefing sets out the different types of discrimination that can occur within the workplace and highlights practical steps a business can take to help avoid breaching discrimination law. Why is it important to…

Employee or Worker? This checklist explains the significance of the distinction between an employee, a worker and a self-employed contractor and also highlights the legal status of volunteers. Employee status An employee is an individual who has entered into or…

Dismissing an employee: business briefing This business briefing sets out the steps a business should follow when it is considering dismissing an employee. Why is it important to follow the law when dismissing an employee? Dismissing an employee for a…