Health and Safety Bulletin (November/2024) Stress Awareness Week: 4 to 8 November 2024 This week the HSE has launched ‘Stress Awareness Week’ to help raise awareness that all employers are required by law to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health by doing a risk assessment and acting on it. There are six main […]
What’s new? A new Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement, also known as ‘fire and rehire’ has been introduced, effective from July 2024. The Code includes recommendations for employers to follow, regardless of the size of the business and how many employees are affected. What do I need to do? Follow the key provisions […]
What is violence and aggression in the workplace? Workplace violence and aggression is when a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at the workplace or while they are working. It can cause both physical and psychological harm, making it a risk to health and safety. Impact of violence Work-related violence can have an impact on […]
Overview The Employment Rights (Flexible Working) Act 2023 comes into force on 6 April which give employees further rights in respect of requesting flexible working. What do I need to know? The following changes are coming into force:- 1. Removal of Continuous Service Requirement Removal of the need for employees to have 26 weeks’ continuous […]
What’s new? From 6th April, employees will have the right to take up to one week unpaid carer’s leave annually to give or arrange care for a dependent with long-term care needs. What are the key details? 1 The right is from day-one of employment. 2 The leave can be taken in full or […]
Following a change to the Working Time Regulations 1998 which stated rolled up holiday on the basis of 12.07% of hours worked for irregular-hours or part-year workers was unlawful, the government consulted over this amendment and has ruled that holiday for these workers can again be calculated in this way. From 1 April 2024, employers […]
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published new guidance on menopause in the workplace to help employers understand their legal obligations relating to women who are going through the menopause as well as details on the support they should provide affected employees. This includes advice on making reasonable adjustments for women who are […]
There are many common myths about portable appliance testing (PAT) – find out the key facts about the inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment here. What is portable appliance testing? Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. […]
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 has been updated to include: 1. Mental health The updated guidance puts emphasis on you to take account of your employee’s mental health in the first aid needs assessment. Under certain circumstances it may be helpful to have people trained to identify mental ill health symptoms who can […]
New changes in Paternity Leave Legislation The Current Legislation Essentially eligible employees whose partner is having a baby (or adopting a child or having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement) are entitled to the following. Entitlement – 1 or 2 weeks’ paid paternity leave. Must be taken together in a block of either 1 […]