This article looks at the dynamics and tensions which exist between remote and agile working versus the role of hierarchy and the competing needs of teams. Where does the power lie in deciding what the future of work looks like? Does it sit with management, leadership, employees or HR? Many leaders and managers seem to have embraced working remotely, having previously spent days/weeks and possibly months commuting every year ...
FINANCIAL SERVICES BNM announces new funds for SMEs On 5 February 2021, Bank Negara Malaysia ("BNM") announced: an additional RM2 billion for the Targeted Relief and Recovery Facility (“TRRF”); the establishment of a RM200 million Disaster Relief Facility (“DRF”) 2021. TRRF The TRRF was a facility announced in the Budget 2021, established to assist eligible SMEs in the services sector ...
With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong, employers may wish to encourage or even require their employees to be vaccinated for protection. An interesting question arises: If an employee gets injured on their way to or from the vaccination venue, will the employer have to pay compensation? Two cases in the US may shed light on this. In Firestone Tire Rubber Co. v Crawford, 177 Ga. App. 242 (Ga. Ct. App ...
COVID-19 has definitely changed the way in which we work. When many people started working from home back in March 2020, it was seen as a short-term, temporary arrangement to help combat the effects of COVID-19. Fast forward 12 months and homeworking is widely considered to be here to stay. In our webinar (kindly hosted by Macmillan Davies), our employment law and health and safety experts talked through the key issues for businesses to be aware of ...
On the 4th March 2021, the Seventh Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union issued its decision on an important matter related to the breach of ambient air quality legislation by the UK government (European Commission v. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, c-664/18). This case is only one among several others filed by the Commission against EU Member States, including France, Italy, Bulgaria and Hungary ...
Rishi Sunak has announced the much-awaited budget for 2021 hailing protection for the “jobs and livelihoods of the British people”. We outline below the key elements impacting employers and their wider workforce. Budget 2021: The Employment Implications Rishi Sunak has announced the much-awaited budget for 2021 hailing protection for the “jobs and livelihoods of the British people” ...
The Chancellor announced the first eight Freeport locations: Solent, East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe & Harwich, Humber, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth and South Devon, Teesside and Thames ...
This is the second article in our 2021 Tricky Issues Series. We will be looking at the five most common causes of delays in disciplinary processes, including the topical issue of delays relating to Covid-19, and how employers can best manage them ...
On 19 February 2021, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark judgment which confirmed that Uber drivers are workers and not independent contractors. We look at the basis for the decision and what it means for other employers. Background This case began back in 2016, when Uber drivers Mr Aslam, Mr Farrar and others submitted a claim to the Employment Tribunal (ET) regarding their employment status ...
In the second session of our latest Brexit Insight: Immigration webinar series, we shared some of our and our clients’ experiences on the new immigration system and changes to right to work document checks, 8 weeks on from the end of free movement for EU workers. We also touched upon the new application process and relevant timescales ...
California employers should assess their meal period policies and practices in light of the California Supreme Court's February 25, 2021, decision in Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC (Donohue). This ruling: (1) prohibits California employers from rounding time punches for meal periods and (2) holds that time records showing non-compliant meal periods will raise a rebuttable presumption of liability for meal period violations ...
The period for filing complaints to challenge 2020 property tax values in Ohio ends on March 31, 2021. For properties assessed in a 2020 county reappraisal or update, a reduction in the 2020 value may offer greater tax savings now than at any point for the next three tax years. However, the potential impact of COVID-19 on tax year 2021 values must be carefully considered ...
On February 22, the government extended the state of emergency by 90 days, to May 23. The extension also applies to the transitional provisions the government passed in the earlier phase of the pandemic for the protection of health and the economy. Among these transitional rules is the so-called Home Office Decree. This decree relaxed the regulation in the field of the otherwise strict and rigid rules pertaining to teleworking and home office work ...
From 1 April 2021, a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge will apply to non-UK residents purchasing residential property in England & Northern Ireland. However, what is meant by a non-UK resident in these circumstances can result in some surprising outcomes ...
It is not unusual for an employee to raise a grievance during their employment. However, this can become the default position, often when the working relationship breaks down. We consider some practical steps for employers to take when this occurs. What is a grievance? The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) defines a grievance widely as any complaint, concern or problem that an employee wishes to raise with their employer ...
The Shoosmiths pensions team has hosted a webinar for non-pensions professionals, trustees and company directors to provide an oversight of pensions issues likely to effect businesses over the next 12 months ...
The SyCipLaw T.I.P.S. for February covers the following tax issues: 1. What are the new and simplified guidelines and procedures on the use of Computerized Accounting Systems, Computerized Books of Account, and/or its Components, including Electronic Storage System? The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Order No. 9-2021 (RMO No ...
Cal-OSHA’s COVID-19 regulation remains in effect after the trial court rejected a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by a coalition of employers. This included challenges to: (1) compensation for employees excluded from work; (2) mandated testing; and (3) health and safety requirements for employer-provided housing and transportation. Therefore, employers must continue to abide by the requirements of the emergency regulation ...
Legal Notice 59 of 2021 has amended the annual leave provisions in the Organisation of Working Time Regulations (S.L. 452.87). With effect from the 1st of January 2021, the days of annual leave have been reduced from 27 days to 24 days but employees shall be entitled to an additional day of annual leave in respect of public or national holidays falling on a Saturday, Sunday or weekly day of rest ...
Introduction and summary As part of a longstanding Government policy to attract private equity (“PE”) and investment fund operations to Hong Kong, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Carried Interest) Bill 2021 (the “Bill”) was gazetted on 29 January of this year ...
This week, Westlaw Today published an article by Dinsmore partner J.T. Wilson III about the generational shift in attitudes toward racial equity in light of George Floyd's death and about how business owners and employers must react accordingly ...
As of March 11, 2020, the date on which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, States have taken various measures such as social distancing, restriction of free movement, the closure of borders, among others, which have undoubtedly had a decisive impact on people in general, and especially on workers and employers ...
We wish to bring to your attention that the deadline for applying for foreign employee work permits for 2021 with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) is 31 March 2021. This obligation applies to every employer in Cambodia employing foreign employees, including representative offices, branches, private or public limited companies, non-governmental organizations and associations ...
The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Revenue)’s press release of 13 January 2021 announced the Revenue’s implementation of centralisation and dispersal of tax files for taxpayers of certain categories, with effect from 1 January 2021 ...
