January 03, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND ALL YOUR STAFF!
Have your say!
The government has launched its consultation on the use of fees in the employment tribunal. It is proposed that employees will have to pay a fee when issuing their claim and a further fee for the hearing.
There are two options being considered regarding the amount:
There are also proposals for fee waivers for those employees who cannot afford to pay.
Waldrons Employment Team are collating views on this and would welcome your input to our response to the consultation. Please email Hannah at h.scott@waldrons.co.uk with any comments you may have.
Overtime Taking You Over 48 Hours?
If employees regularly work overtime and this, over an average of 17 weeks, means they are working more than 48 hours then the employees should be requested to sign an “opt-out agreement”. The EAT has just ruled that making this request will not be a detriment to the employee. If the employee will not sign the “opt-out agreement” then they should not be working more than 48 hours on average in order to ensure that you do not fall foul of the criminal penalties.
Ownership of “Followers” “Contacts” and “Friends”
A US Company has launched a claim against a former employee who took all their Twitter Followers with them claiming it was a customer database. You can be sure that similar litigation will cross the pond especially as social networking becomes an increasingly valuable tool.
It is important that your social networking policy as well as your contractual restrictive covenants are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are up to date with modern technology and that your company information in whatever form is protected.
For your free Contract and Handbook Health Check email Hannah at h.scott@waldrons.co.uk
New Year's Resolution
This new year how about committing some time to helping your local community and your future workforce? By becoming a business supporter for Walsall EBP you will be helping to raise the aspirations of young people and instil in them valuable employability skills. To volunteer contact Lorenzo Cosco at Walsall EBP on 01922 424200 and to find out more about what they do and how you can help check out their website www.walsallebp.co.uk
Hannah Scott, Employment Solicitor
h.scott@waldrons.co.uk
Waldrons Solicitors
Wychbury Court
Two Woods Lane
Merry Hill DY5 1TA
Tel: 01384 811811
Fax: 01384 811833
