The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24-year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers can apply for funding which covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per...
A new report has found that few employers are aware of the signs of domestic abuse, and an even smaller number have a clear policy in place to support survivors. The Business Minister, Paul Scully, on 14 January issued a ‘rallying call’ to employers across the country to take some simple steps to help victims...
The Government has published guidance for employers and workers on rights and responsibilities related to employees who may not be able to go into work because they are self-isolating or they’re clinically extremely vulnerable. The guidance consolidates and sets out the legal position in these circumstances and reminds employers that it is an offence for...
The Chancellor has just announced that the Job Support Scheme will be expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions. Under the expansion, firms whose premises are legally required to shut for some period over winter as part of local or national restrictions will receive grants to...
Key findings (released 07/10/2020): Permanent placements and temp billings both rise sharply Vacancies expand for first time since February, albeit marginally Redundancies drive a further rapid rise in candidate numbers A further recovery in hiring activity was seen during September, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, with both permanent...
As World Mental Health Day approaches (10 October 2020), research from charity Mind found that more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) said their mental health got worse during lockdown. Their research also confirms that a culture of fear and silence around mental health at work is costly...
The Government has published the detailed guidance on the Job Retention Bonus (JRB). As announced previously, the Job Retention Bonus is one-off £1,000 taxable payment for each eligible employee furloughed and kept continuously employed until 31 January 2021. The bonus itself can be claimed between 15 February 2021 and 31 March 2021. You can claim...
On 14 August, Government published guidance for employers if an employee has to self-isolate after returning to the UK. It covers options if an employee is out of the country when a quarantine is announced, suggesting employees should talk to their employer as soon as possible. NB Employers who dismiss an employee because they have had...
Young people aged 16-24 are currently at risk of facing long-term unemployment – particularly those on Universal Credit. The Government’s Kickstart scheme will subsidise six-month work placements. For each job under the kickstart scheme, the government will cover the cost of 25 hours’ work a week at National Minimum Wage level, with employers able to...
The Government has published a new document on the extended furlough scheme, detailing the measures to improve its flexibility. Of note is that the date for flexibility has been brought forward to 1 July. From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and...