Blog - Leadership
Extension to the Job Retention Scheme Announced
29th May 2020Business, Change Management, Coronavirus, Employment LawLeadership
Extension to the Job Retention Scheme Today (29 May) the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced further details about the extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and its impact on the furloughing arrangements. The key details in his announcement are are outlined below: Flexible furloughing From 1 July 2020, you’ll have the flexibility to bring previously furloughed employees back to work part-time – with the Government continuing to pay 80%...
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Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme Portal & Amendment to SSP Regulations
28th May 2020Business, Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Human Resources, LeadershipPayroll
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme Portal & Amendment to SSP Regulations Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme Portal from 26 May to reclaim SSP paid to current or former employees. The repayment will cover up to 2 weeks starting from the first qualifying day of sickness, if an employee is unable to work because they either: have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms cannot...
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Returning to Work Webinar with Birketts
26th May 2020Business, Change Management, Coronavirus, Employment LawLeadership
Returning to Work Webinar As the Government begins to ease lock-down measures for businesses, we need to prepare for the time when all business can fully return to work. Along with Birketts Solicitors we have prepared this Returning to Work webinar which discusses the legal, HR and Health and Safety aspects of Returning to Work. Charlotte Bate and Carole Burman, Directors of MAD-HR are joined by the Birketts team made...
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Coronavirus: Return to Work Flowchart & Checklist
21st May 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
On 10 May 2020 the Government began to outline its plans to enable certain sectors in England to return to work, while the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have continued the period of lockdown. While employees who can operate from home are advised to continue to do so, official guidance on the Government's plans for returning to the workplace continue to emerge, including eight sets of guidance. This sector specific...
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Returning to Work – In the New Norm’
21st May 2020Change Management, Coronavirus, Human ResourcesLeadership
Returning to Work Right now, the focus for many businesses is to keep their organisation afloat, exhausting new sales opportunities and fighting other impacts and challenges being presented by the Coronavirus pandemic - like returning to work, at full capacity. Businesses have to prepare for the longer-term impact and enabling employees to return to work in a safe way and provide a safe environment for them to work in, in what...
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Latest Furlough and Holiday Pay Guidance
14th May 2020Business, Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Human Resources, LeadershipPayroll
The Government has clarified issues relating to furlough and holiday pay in guidance published yesterday (13 May) by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. While it was confirmed last month that furloughed workers could take annual leave without breaking furlough, many questions remained regarding whether an employer could require staff to take holiday, and the status of temporary and agency staff was also still unclear. What is great about...
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Coronavirus: New ACAS Guidance on Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures
13th May 2020Business, Coronavirus, Employment LawLeadership
New ACAS Guidance on Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures As a result of the ongoing pandemic, ACAS have updated their guidance to employers so that there is clarity on the effect of social distancing on Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures. The employer needs to decide if it would still be fair and reasonable to carry on with or start a disciplinary or grievance procedure while: people are on temporary leave because of...
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extended
12th May 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Job Retention Scheme Extended The Chancellor announced today (Tuesday 12 May 2020) that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for all regions and sectors across the UK economy and will; continue until the end of October; furloughed workers across UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500; and new flexibility will be introduced from August to get employees back to work and boost...
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Coronavirus Lockdown is Beginning to End
12th May 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Coronavirus Lockdown is Beginning to End As the Government begins to share its plans to ease the lockdown and reopen workplaces, it is clear that leadership, trust and careful planning will play a vital role in this critical next phase of COVID-19. An incremental approach will be necessary as we transition to a new ‘COVID-19 secure’ way of living and working. To guide employers as they prepare to address the...
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Local Business Grant Funds Scheme
2nd May 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Top-up to Local Business Grant Funds Scheme Announced 1 May 2020: If you were outside of the scope of the Covid-19 Business Grant funds scheme then the extra funding announced yesterday “could” be good news for you and your business. A discretionary fund has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. Up to £617 million is being made available...
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Online Skills Toolkit Launched
28th Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Online Skills Toolkit Launched The Department for Education, has launched a new online learning platform – the skills toolkit to build skills in the UK during the Coronavirus outbreak and beyond. With more people expected to be working and studying remotely in the coming months, the platform offers a great opportunity to learn new skills to help to get ahead online and gain the knowledge we’ll all need for the...
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Small Businesses Boosted by Bounce Back Loans
28th Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Bounce Back Loans On 27th April 2020, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new Bounce back scheme which should be a quicker and easy solution for those in need of smaller loans. You will recall that the CBILs (Coronavirus Business Interuption Loan scheme) minimum loan amount was £25,000 which was too much debt for many small businesses to contemplate taking on. The Bounce back loan scheme will be: Loans from...
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Solution to Address the Need for Seasonal Labour in Agriculture
24th Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Solution to Address the Need for Seasonal Labour in Agriculture With the no immediate end to the Pandemic in sight and crops that needs to be harvested, Defra has launched a new website which brings together those who are looking for work on UK farms over the harvest period with recruiters who have roles to fill. The Pick for Britain website will act as a hub to signpost people to...
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Coronavirus – Health and Well-being Guide
24th Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Health and Well-being Guide Taking care of your mind as well as your body is really important while staying at or working from home because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You may feel bored, frustrated or lonely. You may also be low, worried or anxious, or concerned about your finances, your health or those close to you. It's important to remember that it is OK to feel this way and that everyone...
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What Financial Support is Available to You?
23rd Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
What Financial Support is Available to You? With the plethora of support available through the Government as a result of the Convid-19 pandemic - you may now be somewhat confused to know what are your options to secure grants, tax relief and funding support for your business. As a result, it has produced a really helpful business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business. The...
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Chancellor Expands Loan Scheme for Large Businesses
21st Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Chancellor Expands Loan Scheme for Large Businesses A UK government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus has been expanded to cover all viable firms, the Chancellor announced today (21st April 2020). Outlining further details of the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CLBILS) ahead of its launch on Monday, Rishi Sunak said all firms with a turnover of more than £45 million will now be able to apply...
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Coming Out of Covid-19 Stronger Than Ever?
21st Apr 2020Business, Change Management, Coronavirus, Human ResourcesLeadership
Webinar - After Covid-19 How can you use your time now so that after Covid-19 your business comes out stronger than ever before? Many businesses have battened down the hatches, furloughed team members and are now left wondering “so what next?” Whilst Covid-19 has challenged even the mightiest of businesses to stay on track, now is the time for all business leaders to not only deal with the challenges of...
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£1.25 Billion Support Package for Innovative Firms
20th Apr 2020Business, CoronavirusLeadership
Support for Innovative Firms UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor announced today (20th April 2020). The package, called the Future Fund, includes a £500 million investment fund for high-growth companies impacted by the crisis, made up of funding from government and the private sector. SMEs focusing on research and development will also benefit from...
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Government Confirms Extension to the JRS Scheme
17th Apr 2020Business, Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Human Resources, LeadershipPayroll
Government Confirms Extension to the JRS Scheme Claims were originally permitted for periods to 31 May 2020 but due to the extension of social distancing restrictions for at least a further 3 weeks the Chancellor has extended the furlough payment period to 30 June. The online portal for businesses to start filing their claims is due to be fully operational from Monday, April 20th. It will allow businesses to claim...
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Communicating with Furloughed Staff
14th Apr 2020Business, Coronavirus, Employment Law, Human ResourcesLeadership
Communicating with Furloughed Staff In order to access the grant to cover 80% of their reference pay (to a max of £2500) through the Job Retention Scheme, there are a number of rules that the employer must follow when it comes to dealing and communicating with furloughed staff. As an employer you want to ensure that you maintain a level of contact with your furloughed employees who may be feeling...
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