In the case of Rodgers v Leeds Laser Cutting Ltd, the Court of Appeal has decided that an employee had not been automatically unfairly dismissed for refusing to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a notable decision as it is the first post-pandemic Court of Appeal claim considering s100(1)(d) of the
COVID-19
Can an employer dismiss an employee who refuses to be vaccinated?
In the first reported case on the point, an Employment Tribunal has recently considered the issue of mandatory vaccination, in Allette v Scarsdale Grange Nursing Home Ltd, and found that a care assistant was fairly dismissed by a nursing home due to her refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The events of the case…
Fear of catching COVID-19 is not a protected belief under discrimination law
The Employment Tribunal has recently held that a claimant’s belief in a fear of catching COVID-19 and a need to protect herself and others does not amount to a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010.
The Claimant argued that her decision not to return to the workplace in July 2020 was because she had…
Pension Protection Fund levy – lower levies expected in 2022/23
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is consulting on its draft levy determination for the 2022/23 levy. The PPF currently has a strong funding position. It therefore intends to set the 2022/23 levy estimate at £415 million, £105 million less than in 2021/22. Around 82% of schemes that pay the risk-based levy will see a levy reduction. The consultation closes on 9 November.
Continue Reading Pension Protection Fund levy – lower levies expected in 2022/23
Furlough and self-employment income support schemes extended until September
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced in yesterday’s Budget (3 March 2021) that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“furlough scheme”) will be extended until the end of September. The furlough scheme, under which the government pays 80% of employees’ wages for the hours they cannot work during the pandemic – up to a limit of £2,500 …
No Jab, No Job?
Can employers legally enforce a mandatory vaccine policy?
Eager to return to a “safe” normality after almost a whole year of pandemic restrictions, some employers have gone so far as to commit to a mandatory “no jab, no job” policy. This has raised many questions as to the legality of enforcing a mandatory vaccine policy…
Further extension of Furlough
Further to our earlier post on the month-long extension of the Furlough Scheme until December (link below), Rishi Sunak has announced today (5 November 2020) that the Furlough Scheme will now be available for companies until next Spring.
The Government will continue to pay 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month for those unable…
Home and Away
A Legal and Practical Checklist for UK Employers whose staff wish to work from outside the UK
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact working life in the UK in March 2020, the workplace has changed beyond recognition. In the UK, 60% of employees are now working from home (“WFH”) on a semi-permanent basis. Without…
Job Support Scheme update : 22 October 2020
HM Treasury has just announced a change to the Job Support Scheme which comes into force from 1 November for the whole of the UK. Previously, employees had to be working 33% of their hours to qualify, with the employer then picking up 33% of the cost of the unworked hours, and the Government paying…
Protecting confidential information: FCA warning reminds of increased risks from home-working
With a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly well underway and restrictions tightening across the country, it is without doubt that remote working will continue to be the norm for many employees for the foreseeable future. The potential issues this raises for employers in relation to data security and the protection of confidential information…