After two years of navigating COVID-19, the end of 2022 will be an opportunity for employers to organise larger activities for their employees, such as Christmas parties. The purpose of this newsletter is to make employers aware of their obligations during the holiday season festivities. Below, we will address the following three issues: industrial accidents, disciplinary measures and psychological harassment ...
Looking back on 2022, what were some of the major events/trends that impacted the work you did as an offshore law firm? Do you see these impacts being felt going into 2023? Anthony McKenzie (AM): 2021 was a blockbuster year for many offshore law firms in Asia. Booming deal flow saw revenues and profits surge. In order to service their clients, law firms increased their headcount. Fast forward to 2022 and beyond and the economic outlook is very different ...
On 1 January 2023, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 will be amended by the: (1) BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2022; and (2) the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 (together the “Amendments”). The Amendments will impact all companies incorporated or registered in the BVI (“Companies”) ...
December 9, 2022 By: Thomas O’Connell and Natalie Bryans A Starbucks store in La Quinta, California was recently successful in defending itself against allegations that the store engaged in unlawful union-busting tactics ...
The Supreme Court will decide if historic holiday pay claims can be brought where there are gaps of three months or more between a series of underpayments. The outcome could have significant implications for employers across the UK ...
On the ninth day of Christmas, HR was asked with fear, “Do we have to say yes to all holiday requests during this festive time of year?” And HR replied….No! A common problem around the festive period is that many employees want to take the same days as annual leave so that they can enjoy time off with their loved ones ...
Thailand’s traditional alcoholic beverages have been developed for centuries and their growth potential has been recognized in the global market. Several indigenous alcoholic beverage brands have received international recognition and are sold globally. This has continued even though Thailand’s manufacturing of alcoholic beverages-related laws (the “Laws”) are very restrictive ...
On the eighth day of Christmas, HR heard someone say, “do we have to let seasonal workers have a holiday?” And HR replied...Yes! It is a common misconception that, because seasonal workers are hired specifically to provide additional cover during the busy festive period, employers do not have to give them any time off over Christmas. However, this is not true and seasonal staff have the same right to annual leave as any other worker ...
Dr Ingrid Fenech participated in the Society Education Annual Conference on Aspects of Maltese Company Law held on 29th November, where she delved into the recent amendments to the Companies Act introducing the notion of cell companies carrying on or engaged in shipping or aviation business ...
Guernsey listed funds In addition, Guernsey has for some time been the domicile of choice for non-UK companies listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) and the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) ...
On the 7th day of Christmas HR was asked…”Can we run a Secret Santa? It’s going to be a blast!” And HR replied…. OK but please don’t make anyone gasp!! The tradition of Secret Santa in workplaces is one of morale-boosting Christmas cheer in which colleagues anonymously exchange presents, encouraging team-building and forging friendships ...
In early 2020, most businesses found themselves unexpectedly pivoting their focus to unprecedented operational, workforce, supply chain, and legal changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses have had to prioritize those issues the past few years, and may not have had much, if any, time and resources available to devote to other non-pandemic-related employment law changes ...
Exclusive interview for the “Wealth Of Wisdom” program: Thanyalak Thongrompho Kudun and Partners Company Limited This exclusive interview with top national corporate executives is part of the “Wealth of Wisdom: WOW” course. Sharing the story of the business circle, future plans, goals, growth direction, and management concepts or principles that are adhered to for success. Find out more information about this news, Here ...
Key points: Limited duration for post-retirement employment will mean up to 24 consecutive months, with potential extensions up to 48 consecutive months, or longer with CalPERS' approval. The 24-month rule will also apply to time served by active employees appointed to upgraded positions or classifications for purposes of reporting "temporary upgrade pay" to CalPERS ...
On the sixth day of Christmas, HR was asked “What's Sarah’s home address? I want to send her a Christmas present, and I don't want to guess!” And HR replied… ...
As the Procurement Bill passes the report stage and reaches the third reading in the House of Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe claims in an article for The Times that it “will slash through red tape, replacing 350 European Union regulations with one simple and flexible framework for the five million SMEs that could compete for public sector contracts”. According to Baroness Neville-Rolfe it will also tackle late payment in the supply chain ...
On the fifth day of Christmas, HR announced with fear... We’re stopping the Christmas bonus for everyone this year! Employers and individuals alike are feeling the impact of increased costs this winter, and it may well be that some employers will seek to save costs by not paying a bonus to employees this Christmas. But is it lawful to simply decide not to pay a Christmas bonus one year? The answer lies in the employment contract ...
There’s a common quip in Washington that federal employees leaving their jobs to work in the private sector are “going to the Dark Side.” However, what is not so funny for federal contractors and former executive branch employees is when the application process for — or the performance of work at — the new job runs afoul of ethics laws and regulations. For example, Oracle America Inc ...
On the fourth day of Christmas, HR were asked, when do you say “no more” to the Christmas decorations? And HR said to me...a giant light up turkey is just too much for the Christmas tree! It is a common misconception that Christmas decorations should be banned for breaching health and safety rules ...
Recent announcements suggest the government has moved away from amending UK employment law via an all-encompassing Employment Bill. Instead, it is supporting changes proposed by backbench MPs through various Private Members’ Bills (PMBs). The Queen’s Speech in December 2019 announced the government’s intention to bring about various employment law reforms, in particular those recommended in the Taylor Review and subsequent consultations, via an Employment Bill ...
On the third day of Christmas, HR was asked “How do you deal with the morning after the Christmas party?” And HR replied…carefully! There will no doubt be a few sore heads following a work organised Christmas Party and it will be that bit more tempting for employees to switch off the early morning alarm and go back to sleep! But what should employers do if an employee turns up late for work or doesn’t turn up at all? If the employment contract allows for it, an emplo