Latest Q & A
Sickness records
We are a 40 person company and although I keep holiday records, I don't keep sickness ones - is there a legal requirement to do so?
Annual leave for part-timers
Our full-time staff work 37 hours a week with 4 weeks annual leave excluding bank holidays. Part-timers work different hours each day. How do I calculate their leave? How do I calculate it if they change their contractual hours?
Smoking breaks at work
I am a care worker and am required to incorporate my breaks into working with the clients, so I'm on duty throughout my shift. However, my smoking colleagues are allowed to go outside for smoke breaks. Am I entitled to additional payment as I do not have the opportunity of client-free time?
Taking disciplinary action
My wife has been told that if she goes to the toilet in work hours, she could faces disciplinary action and can only go at break times. She has gall bladder problems and is worried. Is this not against basic human rights?
Bank holiday payments to part-time staff
Are part-time staff entitled to pay on bank holidays when the business is closed?
Working from home while signed off sick
I broke a limb and have been signed off work for 4 months. I agreed with my employer to work from home while I recover. I have heard they will lay me off when I return. What are my rights?
Signing for company deliveries
Apparently, if an employee signs “blindly” for something, they are acting on behalf of the company unless otherwise stated in their contract. How can you word a clause to protect the company from such situations? For example, an employee ordering products without authority.
Employing “zero hours” staff
As a sole trader I want to take on a first employee, but want to guard against a drop in business activity. Is offering a “zero hours” contract a possible answer and what are the implications?
Attendance at meetings
Can an employee be forced to attend a meeting to investigate whether a disciplinary hearing is required, while they are signed off sick by a doctor or on holiday?
Help running business while in hospital
I run a small greengrocery business by myself and need to go into hospital. I need somebody to run my business while I am away. Can you advise me what my options are?
Hiring a foreign national
What paperwork is required to employ a foreign national?
Breaching the data protection act
I was going through some personal problems that were affecting my work. My manager asked what was wrong and I told him in confidence. I now find he has told some of my colleagues. What can I do about this?
Company re-structuring
Our company is currently undergoing a re-structure and we want to interview every member of staff both to find out where they feel their place within the company is and to assess their strengths and weaknesses to ascertain how best to utilise their expertise. Is there a basic format we should follow?
Employment law essentials
I left a job two years ago. One year after leaving, the employer contacted me saying that I was overpaid and is now trying to reclaim the money. I have received four letters detailing four different amounts. I offered to repay it if they could confirm the correct amount and deduct outstanding flexi-time. They did not respond for five months and are now chasing a new amount of money. I am therefore refusing to pay. Do they have any legal grounds to pursue me at this late stage?
Personal hygiene issues
One of my staff regularly smells of urine. Despite sympathetically asking her on many occasions to address the problem she has failed to do so. What is the position regarding her employment? If I have to, can I ask her to leave?
