Employment

Boldness of CJRS must be followed by equally bold wage subsidy measures to protect jobs in next, more challenging, phase of jobs crisis, says Resolution Foundation

New report also recommends payroll tax cuts to encourage employers outside hardest-hit sectors to take on those unemployed as result of COVID-19 economic shock

Employment case law round up

Carers are struggling to combine work and care, with just two-fifths of working carers believing that their employer is carer-friendly

Highlighting that supporting carers has substantial benefits for employers, CIPD sets out recommendations on how to become a carer-friendly workplace

Total value of CJRS claims is now almost £23 billion, with increase of more than £2 billion in last week alone

Weekly HMRC statistics also show that number of employees furloughed increased by 100,000 in week up to 21 June 2020, taking the total furloughed since the scheme launched to 9.2 million

Employment case law round up

Working Families calls on government to continue the ‘unlocking’ of flexible working achieved during lockdown by reforming ‘outdated’ statutory rules

Charity's call for reform responds to survey findings showing parents and carers want more autonomy over flexible hours and where work is carried out, and a 'cultural shift' in attitudes to flexible working

Northern Ireland Executive launches consultation on parental bereavement leave and pay

Minister for the Economy says she anticipates that proposed legislation will require employers to grant a minimum of two weeks paid leave

Number of employees furloughed increases by 200,000 in week up to 14 June 2020, taking total since launch of CJRS to more than 9 million

Weekly HMRC statistics also show that total value of CJRS claims has exceeded £20bn, increasing by more than £1bn in last week alone

MPs urge government to ‘fill the gaps’ in Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support schemes to assist the more than a million people currently excluded

Treasury Committee report also includes recommendations to support ‘new starters’ in employment and self-employment who are currently excluded from CJRS and SEISS

Government updates Job Retention Scheme guidance to take account of new furlough rules from 1 July 2020

Updates also confirm that employers will be expected to contribute more towards employee support as government support is gradually withdrawn

Government rejects call from MPs for a separate Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for charities

Response to Select Committee's report says that allowing workers to volunteer for their employer could result in people working full time while only being paid 80 per cent of their wages

President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal issues amended Practice Direction to take account of remote hearings

Amendments apply in respect of all EAT hearings taking place on or after 12 June 2020

Court of Appeal considers whether Certification Officer’s declaration, that a Union breached its own rules by instituting disciplinary proceedings out of time, should stand

Kelly v The Musicians' Union [2020] EWCA Civ 736

Employment case law round up

Court of Appeal considers whether ET properly assessed sex discrimination claim against BBC from male freelance journalist following unsuccessful interview

Tabidi v British Broadcasting Corporation [2020] EWCA Civ 733

Charity takes first step towards legal action against discriminatory nature of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Pre-action protocol letter sent to the Chancellor argues that scheme has a disproportionately negative impact on vulnerable new mothers

Employment Tribunal receipts, disposals and caseload outstanding continue to exceed levels seen in previous year

New MoJ statistics also show that number of cases outstanding has almost reached the peak seen in 2009, while cases are taking an average of 5 weeks longer to be disposed of