• Redundancy Protection on Maternity Leave
    Nov 11 2024
    In this episode 235 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about a recent case decided by the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Hunter V Carnival plc in which the Appeal Tribunal considered the protection provided by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999. In this episode we cover: The protection provided to women on maternity leave by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999.The analysis of a suitable alternative vacancy in the context of maternity leave protection when a redundancy situation arises.What employers have to consider if they are making redundancies when an employee is on maternity leave or another period of family leave.What the difference is between reducing numbers of staff in a role and creating new reduced number roles. You can read the full judgment here: Hunter v Carnival plc Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: Prevention Obligation Webinar Training for Managers 20th November at 10am 90-minute training webinar to ensure they understand what sexual harassment is, how to prevent sexual harassment and reporting and investigation obligations and processes. Each webinar is 90 Minutes, and the cost is £81.96 per person. To book please head to Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sexual-harassment-prevention-training-for-managers-tickets-1059654728819?aff=oddtdtcreator Marie Fall, Chief People and Culture Officer from Axel Arigato had this to say about the training provided: “We recently participated in a workshop led by Alison Colley on sexual harassment prevention, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. Alison brought an engaging and structured approach, delivering critical insights with clarity and depth. The session was interactive, making the complex topic accessible and relatable for all our leaders. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting both the quality of the content and Alison’s expert facilitation. We left feeling equipped and motivated to foster a safe, respectful workplace culture. Thank you, Alison, for an impactful session!” DIY Training for Employees – £18 per person (inclusive of VAT) We have also created a training programme for all employees so that they understand what Sexual Harassment is, how to report and what they should be doing to help prevent sexual harassment. The training can be completed as required and will take approximately 75 minutes to complete. For more information or to access the course please go to: We are also offering a discount for bulk orders to please contact me by mail alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk for more information. Certificates will be provided for all attendees as proof of training. Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw
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    18 mins
  • Employment Rights Bill 2024: Key information
    Oct 14 2024
    On the 10th October 2024 the biggest reform of employment law for many years was published in the form of the Employment Rights Bill. In this episode 234 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about the changes to employment law. In this episode we cover: Sexual Harassment ‘all’ steps preventionEmployees who make a sexual harassment disclosure will become a ‘protected disclosure’ for whistleblowing protectionEmployers will be liable to third party harassmentRemoval of the unfair dismissal qualifying periodIntroduction of a statutory probation periodRegulation on zero and low hours contractsAdditional rights for those on zero hours or low hour contractsAdditional pregnancy protection from dismissalAdditional protection for those who take family leaveEnd to employers ability to dismiss employees who refuse a change to their contract termsAdditional requirements for employers to justify the decision to refuse a request for flexible workingRemoval of the waiting period for statutory sick pay so it will be available from day 1 of employmentBereavement leave available for allPaternity and parental leave will be available from day one of employmentChange to how you calculate the numbers for collective redundancyCreation of a fair work agencyTrade Union reform including requirement for employers to set out in a written statement that the worker has the right to join a trade union You can read the full bill here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737 Sexual Harassment prevention paperwork For £100 plus VAT you can now download the following documents to get you started with your obligation to prevent sexual harassment: Sexual harassment risk assessment – organisation wideSexual Harassment Policy Template & Guidance NoteSexual Harassment Investigation flow chartNotice to issue to all staffTraining recordTimetable for annual reviewInvestigation guidance for managers You can download now here: Sexual Harassment Prevention Documents for Employers Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw Photo by Deniz Fuchidzhiev on Unsplash
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    28 mins
  • New Sexual Harassment Law: Important change for all employers
    Sep 30 2024

    From the 26th October 2024 a new proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment comes into force and will apply to all employers regardless of size.

    In this episode 233 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about the change in the law as well as my advice and recommendations on what employers should be doing to ensure compliance. In this episode we cover:

    • What the new legal obligation means.
    • The consequences of not complying with the new obligation.
    • The steps that employers should take to ensure minimum compliance.
    • Why an annual review is needed.
    • Why training for managers and all staff is important.

    Training for your Team

    Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams.

    Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

    Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts


    As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour

    Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006

    We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents

    We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE

    Zoes Law

    Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

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    16 mins
  • What happens when an employee takes confidential information?
    Sep 13 2024

    We are often called upon by both employers and employees to advise in situations where a departing employee has taken documents or confidential information belonging to their employer.

    Sometimes this is completely innocent and there is no intention on the part of the employee to exploit the information, and in others it is taken with the intent to use in their new employment, either way this can be very worrying for employers.

    In this episode 232 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the key things employers can do if they find themselves in a situation where confidential information has been taken and how to safeguard and prevent the loss in the first place. In this episode we cover:

    • The reasons why departing employees may take confidential information or documents,
    • The immediate steps employers should take when they find out that an employee has taken confidential information.
    • The legal options available including obtaining an injunction and/or damages.
    • The potential criminal consequences of taking confidential information or documents.
    • Steps that employers can take during an employee’s employment to safeguard data.
    • The importance of a robust confidentiality clause in employment contracts.
    • When a non-disclosure agreement may be required.
    • Why you should consider post-termination restrictions in your employee contracts.
    • The points to note to ensure post-termination restrictions are enforceable.
    • Why having robust IT processes and regular audits is important.

    Training for your Team

    Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams.

    Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

    Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts


    As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour

    Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006

    We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents

    We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE

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    23 mins
  • How can employers make it easier for parents to return to work after a period of family leave
    Jul 19 2024
    In this episode 231 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Alice Derbyshire who is a specialist coach and speaker and who works with parents and employers on making the transition back to work as easy as possible. In this episode of the podcast we cover: What the key issues are for HR and managers to consider.Tips on how to reintegrate new parents back to the workplace.Why communication is key to a successful return to work.Why both employee and employer have a role to play in making it a success.The importance of one to one and or performance reviews before someone leaves for maternity leave.Why you need to have a plan in place for breastfeeding employees.Health and safety reviews for pregnant employees and new mums.The importance of putting in place touch points during parental leave. Alice has also produced a document for you ‘Return to work from Parental Leave – 3 Easy Steps to Success’ which you can download for free here: HERE Alice Derbyshire I want my kids to go to work and see a balance of men and women at every level of the organisation. To see role models that look and feel like them; to know that it’s possible to succeed regardless of their gender. I work with businesses who care about this too; supporting you to get structural balance from the bottom to the top. Leadership Coaching | Leadership Development | Parental Transitions | Workshops | Consultancy What clients say: “Alice is one of those rare individuals who understands the world we work in and how to impact business quickly. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough if you need an exceptional person to help your business grow through the people that you employ.” – Managing Director “You are perceptive, kind, and challenging in the most supportive way. How wonderful it is to see small tweaks have such a positive transformation on my leadership impact. I’ve learnt so much in a short time.” – Senior Global Marketing Director You can contact Alice: By phone: +44(0)7789 555626 Book time with Alice on Calendly Find out more – www.alicedarbyshire.com See Alice’s experience on LinkedIn Follow her musings on Instagram Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw
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    32 mins
  • Setting your employees up for success
    Jul 5 2024

    We are often called upon by employers and managers to advise on situations where issues with performance arise with employees, and the manager/employer has reached the end of their patience with the individual.

    We are also regularly asked by employers about how to manage employees who do not do what is required or are not up to standards.

    Whilst we can advise and resolve issues using a formal performance management process it is much better to head off the issues at an early stage and avoid the formal process altogether. In this episode 230 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the key things you can do to set your employees up for success. In this episode of the podcast we cover:

    • Assessing and checking if you and your team understand their role and contribution to the business
    • How to start in setting out goals and targets for each employee
    • Why it is important to have the goals and targets and aims in place
    • How it will help you in the long run
    • How to proactively manage your team
    • Why it is important to proactively manage your team
    • What typically happens when the foundation work has not been done
    • Why it inevitably leads to a dispute if the foundation is not in place and proactively managed
    • The action points that you can take now to set up for success and prevent problems from arising
    Training for your Team

    Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams.

    Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

    Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts


    As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour

    Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006

    We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents

    We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE

    Zoes Law

    Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

    Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

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    15 mins
  • Directors employment rights
    Jun 21 2024

    In recent weeks we have been advising several directors (who also happen to be shareholders) of companies where there has been some sort of fall out with fellow directors (and shareholders) leading to that person being dismissed from their role as director and in turn their employment. In this episode 229 of the podcast I bring you a run down of the employment rights that apply to directors who are employees of the business.

    I also cover my tips on avoiding disputes and how to resolve them quickly in the event of a dispute arising.

    In this episode of the podcast we cover:

    • When a director is also an employee.
    • The rights of directors who are also employees.
    • Why you need to have an employment contract and clear terms in place at the outset.
    • The importance of company documentation.
    • Why you need to have targets and goals for directors that are measurable.
    • Why you should caution against dismissing a director from their employment merely because they are no longer able to be a director.

    Training for your Team

    Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams.

    Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

    Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts


    As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour

    Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006

    We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents

    We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE

    Zoes Law

    Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Unfair Dismissal: Frequently Asked Questions?
    Jun 7 2024
    Episode 6: Listener questions answered about disciplinary issues & unfair dismissal In this weeks’ episode of the podcast I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions from Employers about how to deal with disciplinary issues and how to avoid a claim for unfair dismissal. This is the final of 6 episodes that focus on all of the key aspects of unfair dismissal, including everything you need to know to really get to grips with dismissals and what constitutes a fair dismissal. In this episode 228 I will cover: What to do if an employee fails to attend a disciplinary hearingWhat to do if an employee is signed off sick during the disciplinary processMy suggestion on how you should handle matters if an employee asks to be accompanied at the hearing by someone other than a trade union rep or work colleagueHow to handle things if you have a small business and you are the only person able to deal with the investigation process and disciplinary hearingHow you should deal with the expiry of a Fixed-Term ContractWhat procedures apply to the expiry of a Fixed-Term Contract Action Points If you receive a claim against you in the Employment Tribunal you should get advice to help to mitigate your losses. Helpful Links Employment Rights Act 1996 ACAS Code of Practice Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. The types of training we can deliver for you are: An introduction to the Equality ActEquality and Diversity TrainingAn introduction to disciplinary & grievance processes and the lawHolding effective 1:1’sAppraisal training—IntroductionAppraisal training—RefresherHolding difficult conversationsEffective root cause analysisGiving and receiving effective feedbackDealing with change & change managementTime managementAbsence managementHow to carry out a disciplinary investigationManaging the disciplinary processManaging the grievance processPerformance and capability managementAssertiveness & managing confidentlyThe skills required to be a good managerAn introduction to mental health at work for managers Please drop me an email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £210 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don’t forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006 We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw
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    20 mins