Fit notes will spark disputes between workers and employers

The government's fit note proposals, which are intended to accommodate partially-fit returners to work, could lead to disputes between workers and their employers and GPs, a legal expert has warned.

Businesses have largely welcomed early return-to-work plans set out in the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) Reforming Medical Statement consultation.

The proposals, expected to be introduced next spring, are designed to replace the sicknote culture and help more people stay in work, rather than drift into long-term sickness.

Read more: http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2009/09/07/52038/fit-notes-will-spark-disputes-between-workers-and-employers.html

Source: Personnel Today

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Government proposes changes to maternity/ paternity

Parents will be able to split 'maternity' leave after six months, allowing the father and mother to share the time off, Gordon Brown will announce today. At the moment mothers are allowed 12 months' maternity leave, with nine months' guaranteed pay. However, under the new scheme that will come in from April next year, the mother can decide to split some of the leave with her husband after six months. They will continue to be paid for the following three months.

Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6190777/Parents-to-share-maternity-leave-after-Gordon-Brown-U-turn.html

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Firms worried about talent exodus

Small business bosses are worried that they will lose important staff when the economy emerges from the recession, according to a survey by business advisory firm Deloitte.

The survey revealed that 65% of businesses are extremely worried about losing valued staff once the jobs market recovers and big firms start recruiting again.

Businesses are advised to make sure that they engage with their staff to ensure that they will not have a dearth of talent when the recession ends.

"As with previous recessions any upturn in the economy will unleash pent up demand by employees acting on their desire to move on. Companies really need to be thinking about this and seek to attract and engage those already within the organisation," said Eddie Barrett of Deloitte.


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Changing terms and conditions of employment

It is not unusual for employers to want to change their employees' terms and conditions of employment to bring them into line with changes in the law or developments in the sector, or just to make them more user friendly.

Recently, however, many employers have considered doing so to save costs in the current economic downturn. For example, by changing shift patterns to reduce the need for overtime, removing benefits that can no longer be afforded, or even reducing rates of pay.

It must be remembered that a contract of employment is like any other contract, and generally cannot be varied unilaterally. Also, each employment contract is a unique agreement between the employer and the individual employee. The fact that more than 99% of the staff have agreed to a variation will not make it binding on the one individual who has not.

However, there are ways and means by which employers can achieve the desired objective.

Read more here: http://www.fpb.org/hottips/452/Changing_terms_and_conditions_of_employment.htm

Author: http://www.maceandjones.co.uk/


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Businesses are changing how they organise their workforce due to the recession, according to new data released by the CBI

The CBI study reveals that 45% of employers have increased flexible working among staff, 43% have cut the amount of paid overtime that is available and a third are using less agency staff.

"The UK's flexible labour market has proved a huge asset during these testing times, and flexible working changes have enabled employers and staff to create leeway on working hours," said John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General.

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