Social Networking and Work – can they go together?
Smart phones, internet, social media sites, e-mails, tweeting, blogging - we have accepted all of these innovations as part of our working and daily lives – they help us to…
What languages should be spoken at work
With the diversity of workforces in the UK today, there’ll inevitably be many workers of different nationalities and with different languages and cultures. This will mean that employers may need…
‘Without Prejudice’ rules explained (and Settlement Agreements)
‘Without Prejudice’ Rules have existed for a long time, and are used by an employer when they and an employee have a dispute in their working relationship which they try…
Confidential pre-termination negotiations and Settlement Agreements
Many employers, if a relationship with an employee isn’t going well (for whatever reason), may consider how they can end that relationship. One way of doing so will be to…
Interrupted breaks can still count as rest under the WTR
An important case about compensatory rest and rest breaks took place recently. The case of Hughes v Corps of Commissionaires Management Ltd concerned a security guard who worked 12-hour shifts…
Can an employee be dismissed because of their political opinions?
The European Court of Human Rights says no, you can’t be dismissed because of your political opinions! In the case of Redfearn v the United Kingdom, the Court of Human…
Short-time working and lay-offs – can you use them?
During a bad patch, it’s common for an employer to attempt to make changes to your employment contract, to save money, rather than make redundancies. In our article about Written…
Everything you need to know about professional references
We look at several issues, as this can be more complicated than it initially looks! (updated 2025) Do Employers have to seek references when recruiting? Generally, there’s no legal obligation…
Workplace surveillance: can your employer spy on you at work?
With CCTV cameras everywhere you go these days, how likely is it that your employer or client is keeping an eye on you? Basically, quite likely. Employers can monitor staff…
Trust and Confidence – what does it really mean, and what happens when it breaks down?
A contract of employment is an agreement between you and your employer. There’s always a contract between you and your employer, even if you don’t have anything in writing, because…
An employee will be redundant if their full time job becomes part-time
(updated 2014) The Employment Rights Act 1996 (the law that currently covers making redundancies) says that, ‘an employee is dismissed by reason of redundancy if the dismissal is wholly or…
Continuity of Service – for employees and workers
We thought we’d look at the concept of ‘continuity of service’ in more detail here, as it’s important for employees and workers in terms of the employment rights that they’re…
Peter Stringfellow – how he is clarifying employment law
Updated for 2013. Last year there was an important employment law case about employment status that showed that Employment Tribunals would focus on the actual reality of working relationships when…
Your employer is making you redundant but has offered you another job – must you accept it?
Your job is at risk of redundancy, and your employer has offered you redeployment to another job in the same company. Are you obliged to accept the redeployment? Redundancy Redundancy…
Fixed Term Contracts: what are they & how can they come to an end?
Fixed Term Contracts have always been popular with employers as a way to fill a ‘gap’ for a temporary period, but we also know they can be abused. Here, we…
Disciplinary procedures: common mistakes made by employers
In unfair dismissal claims, employment tribunals take the "Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures" that was introduced in 2009, into account where relevant..However, many Employers make mistakes…
What employment status do I have? Your contract may not provide the answer!
Recently, Freelance Advisor reported on the very important Supreme Court 2011 legal judgement on Autoclenz Ltd v Belcher and Others and how this may affect freelancers and contractors who have…
Custom and practice, and employment contract terms (implied and express terms)
We know there are a lot of employees out there, at the moment, who are having their employment terms changed, usually against their wishes. At Workline we thought we’d look…
Who can have self-employed status in the film, television and production industries?
With Workline’s origin in the Film and TV Industries we thought we’d return to the infamous HMRC ‘Film, Television and Production Industry Guidance Notes’, that provide advice on how to…
How to make your contracts IR35-proof
This is a difficult and potentially time-consuming process. Long-term freelancers will certainly wish to 'IR35-proof' their contracts in order to avoid the reduction in earnings. Contracts will need to be…
Large Scale Dismissals – are they legal?
With dismissal notices being given out by Shropshire Council to all their staff earlier this month, we thought we’d take a closer look at what this means and if it…
Bribery Act 2010 – Honesty is the best policy
On 1st July 2011 the Bribery Act (2010) comes into force across the UK, making it a criminal offence for an individual or organisation to offer or receive a bribe…
Are Employers obliged to pay Employees who cannot get into work because of severe weather conditions (and/or transport disruptions)?
Are Employers obliged to pay Employees who can't get into work because of severe weather conditions (and/or transport disruptions?). The responsibility is on the employee/worker/freelancer to get to work, regardless…
What are my main Employment rights as an Employee, Worker or Freelancer?
Whatever your employment status, whether you are an employee, worker or freelancer, you have rights at work that are protected by law. Below is a comprehensive summary of what you…
Written Statements, contracts, and changing terms in your contract
All Employees are legally entitled to a Written Statement, which they must receive within two months of starting the job. It is a summary in writing of your main terms…
Grievance Procedures – Employers need one
All Employers are required to have a grievance procedure for employees to use, in case you are unhappy with any of your working conditions. This article explains how the procedure…
Antenatal Care for women, fathers/partners and adopters
Can pregnant women get time off to attend ante-natal classes?
Parental Leave – who is entitled, what is it?
Find out who is entitled to take Parental Leave by reading this article - our advice is updated for 2011.
Time off for Dependants – Family Emergencies
Did you know that in many circumstances employees now have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on them? Read more…
Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedures
Employer’s responsibilities All employers are required by law, as a minimum, to outline their disciplinary rules and procedures in an employees’ written statement of terms and conditions (which all employees…