The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced at the Conservative Party conference that the unfair dismissal qualifying period will rise from one year to two years, with effect from 6 April 2012. This announcement will be a welcome one for employers. The Department for Business,... read more

On 1 July 2011 the Bribery Act 2010 came into force. The Act extends the crime of bribery to cover all private sector transactions, as previously only bribery involving public officials and agents were offences, the Act has created a new strict liability offence where commercial organisations... read more

The Supreme Court has recently given its judgment in a case that provides an important reminder for businesses who contract – or at least purport to contract – with individuals on a self-employed basis, as opposed to on an employed basis.  Although this case involved car valeters, the... read more

Payments made purely in connection with the termination of employment will be free of national insurance and, to the extent that they do not exceed £30,000.00, also free of income tax.  However, notice pay and payments in lieu of notice paid in accordance with terms and conditions of... read more

Where an employee has suffered discrimination or harassment at the hands of another employee, which is done in the course of the discriminating employee’s employment, the employer of the discriminating employee will be vicariously liable for his acts, unless the employer can demonstrate that it... read more