New HR guidance to help employers navigate vaccinations and the return to workplaces So, the vaccine rollout is well underway and over the past few weeks, we’ve been asked a number of workplace vaccine related questions. Up until now, it has been difficult to answer some of these questions in the absence of any guidance…
The Government has published the names of organisations who made claims to the Job Retention Scheme for the month of December onwards. In order to increase transparency surrounding the use of the furlough scheme, the Government announced last year that it would be making public details of all organisations who had been claiming the furlough…
The columnists of the Driving Economic Recovery feature in Niche Magazine have once again covered a wide variety of topics to help the businesses pull through the effects of Covid19. From lockdown to unlock, the pandemic has thrown up serious (& complex!) HR challenges, leaving business owners, facing lots of tough choices on how to…
When England’s lockdown is lifted on 2 December, a new, more stringent regional “tier” system will be introduced that will bring in different levels of restrictions that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 based on the infection rate in different parts of the country. While tighter than the previous tiered system, it should…
So, the Chancellor has just announced the furlough scheme is set to be extended until next March. It’s not clear if it will be the full 80% currently available. The move follows several days of wrangling over the scope and duration of the furlough scheme. It was due to end on 31 October, but has…
If this week so far is anything to go by, I know that right now is a very uncertain time for many employers and that’s why I’ve put together an updated furlough toolkit, following the latest government guidance. The furlough toolkit will give you everything you need to manage the pandemic in your workplace and…
As you may have heard, hours before the furlough scheme was due to end, the Government announced it will be extended from 1 November until December, as it brings in a further lockdown in England. We don’t yet have full details on the extension of the furlough scheme, but here’s what we know so far:…
A very common question being asked at the moment, given the new tiered approach to lockdowns. Regardless of the size or location of your business, creating a contingency plan for a lockdown is a pragmatic approach to working through these uncertain times. ✔️ Best place to start is to review how your business coped during…
Employers that have incorrectly calculated their furlough claim or have received more money than they should have done have less than a week left to inform HMRC of their error or face an investigation. HMRC have explained in their risk assessment they are not going to set out to try to find employers who have…
When the Chancellor announced his package of measures in July, he included a Job Retention Bonus. This is a £1000 one-off taxable payment to employers for each eligible employee that they furlough and keep continuously employed until 31 January 2021. Now HMRC have issued guidance on the scheme which clarifies that employers will be able…
As you may have heard today, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a replacement for the coronavirus job retention scheme based on a German-style system of wage subsidies which will require employers to give staff a minimum of 33% of their usual hours, with the government covering some of the wages for the remaining hours…
As we are now a few weeks in since ‘flexible furloughing’ came into place on 1 July 2020, I’ve rounded up the most common questions I’ve received from business owners and these are all included in our updated CJRS Guide which is attached (we’ve received quite a few questions as you will see!). Some great…
What a few months we’ve all had! These are trying times and I hope you’re all keeping well and safe. As you may have seen this morning, the government has today (July 8) revealed its plans to help the country’s economy recover in its summer economic statement. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced…
Leading a newly virtual team is a tall order for any leader; doing so during a time of sudden crisis is even more challenging! In this month’s edition of Niche Magazine Aleena was thrilled to be invited by Cross Productions to contribute towards their COVID19 recovery campaign, to feature alongside some of Leicestershire’s most forward-thinking…
FFS – Flexible furlough scheme update now available! With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme set to gradually wind down over the summer and autumn, the government has now provided more details relating to one of the key aspects of the revised furlough scheme – flexibility. This guidance page was updated on 12 June to include…
In challenging time’s businesses often look to HR for support and guidance and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing to help businesses this week with lots of workplace Coronavirus related queries I.e. managing absence, supporting remote working etc. I’ve seen lots of businesses scrambling around in a mad panic and we know it’s tough at…
Great news that the job retention scheme has been extended which will come as a huge relief to many employers and employees! The scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus will be extended to October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed. He said the government-backed workers and companies going into the lockdown,…
Update on 15 April 2020: Employees who started new jobs up until 19 March have now been brought into the scope of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and their employers can make a claim for 80% of their wages. The change was revealed in HM Revenue & Customs’ fourth iteration of its furlough scheme guidance,…
On Friday 27 March 2020, The Working Time Regulations have been amended to give workers an entitlement to carry over 4 weeks of their annual leave if they are unable to take it because of coronavirus. This may be because: they’re self-isolating or are too sick to take holiday before the end of their leave…
On Saturday 28 March, new laws surrounding the payment of statutory sick pay (SSP) were introduced. SSP should now be paid from day one, not day four, of absences in the following situations: To someone who has the virus To someone who is self-isolating for seven days because they have even mild symptoms To someone…
Note: This policy is for use during the present coronavirus emergency. It is stressed throughout the policy that it is temporary and only applies during the present crisis. Companies may alter or adapt the policy in the light of their particular circumstances and the developments relating to the virus, including Government guidance. (please amend to…
Download Letter Explaining Your Organisation’s Plans To Furlough Staff Download
It’s been an extremely busy week for many of us in HR! In challenging time’s businesses often look to HR for support and guidance and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing to help businesses this week with lots of workplace Coronavirus related queries I.e. managing absence, supporting remote working etc … I’ve seen lots of…
