We have previously commented on the impact environmental concerns are having on those working in the traditional energy sectors. In particular, the focus on renewable energy has left many oil and gas workers nervous about their job security and ability to find alternative work if they are made redundant. Thankfully, it appears those concerns might be unfounded ...
For a long time, socialising at work was synonymous with drinking alcohol, but in recent times we have seen this trend start to shift. This is positive news for employers who risk social events centred around alcohol inadvertently isolating those to choose not to drink. With minimal alternatives available in the past, some employees have felt a certain pressure to drink at events to ‘keep up’ with colleagues ...
The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill has received Royal Assent and will come into force, along with implementing regulations, in September 2024. This follows our previous article in which we considered the Bill and its wider implications. The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act (the Act) aims to address “one-sided flexibility” between employers and workers who undertake atypical work ...
In case 161/2022/LM, delivered on 11th October 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Industrial Tribunal, which found justifiable reasons for dismissal. Following the Tribunal’s conclusion that the grounds for dismissal presented by the defendant company were justified, and consequently, the dismissal was fair, the former employee contested this decision in front of the Court of Appeal ...
Introduction In 2023, where do we stand in terms of liability where smart products are concerned? The rules governing product liability set out in the Civil Code of Québec were introduced early in the 20th century in response to the industrial revolution and the growing number of workplace accidents attributable to tool failures ...
On June 22, 2023, the federal government significantly expanded the reporting requirements for certain so-called avoidance transactions, in particular with respect to termination agreements.1 The new rules will make it easier for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to detect certain avoidance schemes, conduct tax audits and issue notices of assessment and penalties more quickly when warranted ...
On 25 September 2023, in conjunction with the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority published a consultation paper on diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. The proposals include measures to ‘support healthy work cultures, reduce groupthink and unlock talent’, in order to support the competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector ...
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilise initiatives to support and protect everyone’s mental health. This year’s theme ‘mental health is a universal human right’ serves as a reminder that good mental health shouldn’t be considered a luxury; it’s a fundamental aspect of our wellbeing ...
As we navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape, upskilling our people continues to be a priority. In response, the innovators at MinterEllison developed Mintcoin, an internal crypto currency designed to reward participation in the firm’s Digital Academy program and innovation initiatives. We’re thrilled to announce that this initiative has secured MinterEllison a spot on the AFRs Most Innovative Companies list for 2023 ...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has recently issued updates to assist employers to deal with data subject access requests (DSARs) and workers’ health. Complaints on DSAR non-compliance against employers are on the rise. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the ICO received 15,848 complaints in relation to DSARs, resulting in penalties for organisations in breach ...
The regulatory landscape for AI, in the UK and beyond, is evolving rapidly, with proposed statutory regimes beginning to emerge from legislators across the globe (read more here). What, then, is the current position for employers? Overview of current regime There remains a notable gap when it comes to concrete principles of liability or accountability for AI-generated or -supported outcomes ...
The UK's recent advancements in AI governance have included the publication of an initial review by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding AI foundation models. The country’s antitrust watchdog has taken the lead in shaping certain principles, recognising the need to harness AI’s potential while avoiding the pitfalls of unchecked power in the hands of a few tech companies, at the expense of broader competition ...
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S111A ERA 1996 allows an employer to conduct confidential discussions with an employee to agree terms for the employee’s exit. A decade on from the introduction of this provision, we consider its application in practice and why it remains underused ...
Space economy, Gianni & Origoni launches the “Space Law” practice Dealflower October 3, 2023 The international law firm Gianni & Origoni announces the launch of its Space Law practice , with the aim of providing Italian and international clients with integrated legal assistance that responds to the growing needs of the Space Economy ...
On September 28th, Law 21,614 of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security was published in the Official Gazette (hereinafter the “Law”), which establishes amendments to Law No.21,063, which Creates an Insurance for the Accompaniment of Children Suffering from Diseases as Indicated and Modifies the Labor Code for these purposes (hereinafter “SANNA Law”) ...
Building any career or business can be difficult, but even more so in construction. A company or individual can ruin its reputation that it took years to develop by taking a political stance or posting the wrong thing online. It can be difficult to recover from blowing a bid, miscalculating an estimate, or being locked into a fixed-price contract and the cost of materials escalate more than your profit. One might have to close up shop or be demoted or terminated ...
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has published a proposed "Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace" for public comment. If finalized, this will mark the first time since 1999 that the EEOC has updated its guidance on workplace harassment ...
By: Jennifer M. Misetich and Michelle Lopez As with every new year, California employers may face an abundance of new laws that will regulate the workplace in 2024. Governor Newsom has until October 14, 2023 to approve or veto the bills discussed below. Unless otherwise noted, the proposed laws discussed below will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Employers should become familiar with these proposed laws to ensure they are ready for compliance ...
On 14 September 2023, the Fawcett Society published guidance on fertility at work. The guide, aimed at employers, was created in partnership with TotalJobs ...
The provision which currently allows live-in domestic workers to be paid less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is expected to be repealed by 1 April 2024; Will this mark the end of the au pair? The draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023 have been laid before Parliament. This will repeal the existing provision which exempts many domestic workers who live in the family home from the NMW ...
In the latest edition of our HR Improve series, we set out the key matters that employers should consider when external circumstances mean that changes need to be made within the organisation. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, some might say. In any event, none of these are words that are gladly welcomed when they’re included in any corporate announcement, and referring to any of them will cause concern amongst the workforce ...
