Category: News

When a pregnant woman or new parents return to work as a member of domestic staff they can receive a widely differing reception. “It’s good to see you back” to “Hmm the girl doing maternity cover did a much better job.” Whatever the reasons, thousands of women lose their jobs due to pregnancy or maternity …
Read the full Story “Greater Protection For Pregnant Women”

Many housekeepers, nannies and other domestic staff drive when employers ask, sometimes for a school run, or shopping. But driving in winter requires special knowledge and as an employer you have a duty of care to ensure staff are equipped for this. Failure to ensure that you have provided the information or pointed them towards …
Read the full Story “Winter Driving – Keep Domestic Staff And Yourself Safe”

The wearing of religious symbols by staff at work can sometimes be a vexing issue for employers, and also a potentially difficult area to approach. As the employee you really need to know what the “rules” are before initiating any discussion. There are a number of basic questions that you, as an employer, may have. …
Read the full Story “What Are The Rights And Wrongs Of Staff Wearing Religious Symbols At Work?”

If your domestic staff ask for a salary increase, would yes or no be your immediate response? Actually it is better not to go down either route. Perhaps “OK, let’s talk about this” is a better response. While your second thought may be “How much”, again probably a better response may be “Why”. The request …
Read the full Story “Yes or No? That is the question!”

Employers today have to be aware of risk of discrimination against employees in a range of areas and now another may be added. An Employment tribunal is to decide whether veganism is a “philosophical belief” akin to a religion, in a landmark legal action.It stems from the dismissal of an employee who has claimed that …
Read the full Story “Vegan Judgement”

1 January Tuesday, New Year’s Day 19 April Friday, Good Friday 22 April Monday, Easter Monday 6 May Monday, Early May Bank Holiday 27 May Monday, Spring Bank Holiday 26 August, Monday Summer Bank Holiday 25 December, Wednesday, Christmas Day 26 December Thursday, Boxing Day.   Your Obligation To Pay Or Not To Pay Do …
Read the full Story “UK public holidays 2019”

  As January heralds in the new year, you may need to be aware of some financial payments which may affect you as an employer including, of course, domestic staff. With effect from the new tax year (April 6 ) contributions for the auto-enrolment pension scheme will rise. Your accountant will take care of the …
Read the full Story “Did you know you’re likely to give your staff a disguised rise from April!”

When your housekeeper or other domestic staff employee has an illness, it’s often easy to see and you can raise the issue if and when needed. But when the problem is a mental health condition, how can you tell? Well, in truth, unless you see a deterioration of work, or obvious signs of stress, you …
Read the full Story “Follow the lead of the big boys”

All national minimum wage rates are set to rise again, with the Living Wage – the statutory national minimum wage for those aged 25 and over- will go up the highest by almost 5% from 1 April 2019. It will boost the figure from £7.83 to £8.21. The increase of 4.9% has been recommended by the …
Read the full Story “National Minimum Wage Rates To Rise Again.”

Recently in Singapore an employer used CCTV to monitor his domestic staff and when he saw his child abused handed the evidence to the police. He then posted it on Facebook. His actions have once again stirred up the “should we or shouldn’t we” monitor staff discussion. So, what are the legal constraints in the …
Read the full Story “Can You be “Big Brother” And Monitor Your Domestic Staff On CCTV?”