Employment

Almost 60 per cent of businesses have not provided top-ups to furloughed workers’ pay

New ONS figures also show that, by end of May 2020, 30 per cent of workforce had been furloughed

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Families calls on government to continue the ‘unlocking’ of flexible working achieved during lockdown by reforming ‘outdated’ statutory rules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

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

Government announces that parents returning to work after extended leave will be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Change will apply to people on statutory maternity and paternity leave, and to those on adoption leave, shared parental leave, and parental bereavement leave.

Almost £20bn of claims have been made in respect of furloughed workers ahead of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closing to new applicants

New 'management information' also highlights that more than 2.5m claims have been made to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Government launches review of employment rights for survivors of domestic abuse

Views sought on availability of current rights, such as flexible working and unplanned leave, and on how employers can help tackle economic abuse of survivors

Employment case law round up

Lower-paid workers need a post-pandemic settlement based on ‘more respect, higher pay, and better conditions at work’, says Resolution Foundation

New report includes calls for improved enforcement of labour market rules and greater control over working hours and pay intervals

Government launches consultation on HMRC powers to recover payments made under the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support schemes

Proposed new legislation will also provide HMRC with powers to charge a penalty where it can demonstrate deliberate non-compliance on the part of the recipient

Gender employment gap in Scotland fell by almost 2 per cent between 2009 and 2019

New statistics also show that disability employment gap for 2019 fell by almost 3 per cent from previous year

Northern Ireland Executive announces proposals for parental bereavement leave and pay

Workers who suffer the loss of a child will have a statutory entitlement to two weeks’ leave and, in most cases, a statutory payment, says Minister