FSB BULLETIN OCTOBER 2024

FSB BULLETIN OCTOBER 2024

New legislation on tips and service charges

Since 1 October 2024, new legislation applies in England, Scotland, and Wales to ensure that businesses whose staff regularly receive qualifying tips distribute these fairly among workers.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

New legislation on preventing sexual harassment

From 26 October 2024, new legislation comes into effect in England, Scotland, and Wales, requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

Indirect discrimination claims now apply to a wider group of employees

A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal judgment confirms there is wider scope for employees to bring indirect discrimination claims. Read our blog to find out more.  

 

Tradespeople are reminded of asbestos risks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently running a campaign to highlight the risk of asbestos to tradespeople.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

Restraint of trade: restrictive covenants found void and unenforceable

Restrictive covenants are clauses which restrict what a party can do both during and frequently after the contract. They are most common in employment contracts but can occur in any commercial contract. They restrict one party’s ability to do something, hence the name. Such clauses can be challenged as to whether they are reasonable, and the court will take into account all of the relevant circumstances of each case. A recent case provides a very good example of such a challenge being successful.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) launches privacy notice generator for small businesses

It’s important for all businesses to have a privacy policy, notice or statement so as to make sure you are clear and transparent to all individuals as to what you will and will not do with any personal data obtained.  It’s vital part of any business’ compliance with their obligations to have such a document in place. The ICO has created an interactive tool to help small businesses to generate something appropriate to their needs.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

Various individuals sanctioned for abusing government Covid schemes

It goes without saying that the Covid pandemic was an extremely difficult and challenging time for everyone, not least small businesses.  At this time the government introduced various schemes to help businesses financially, and many businesses participated in these.  Unfortunately there were widespread abuses of these schemes, and fraudulent claims, and as a result many people either have had or will have sanctions taken against them in this regard.  In this article we look at a couple of recent examples.  Read our blog to find out more.

 

New content for employers on the FSB Legal and Business Hub:

Fact sheet guidance on sexual harassment

Restaurant tips and gratuities policy