Category: News

We have written before on the impact of removing Employment Tribunal Fees. Now former domestic staff employees who feel they have been treated badly and unfairly dismissed can take their cases to tribunal without cost and if you, as an employer lose, it could cost you even more than before. The maximum compensatory award for …
Read the full Story “Unfair Dismissals Will Cost You Even More”

April 6th  – Or 7th Which is The Date For Changes April 6th generally brings some changes which affect employers of all including domestic staff and this year is no exception. However, the new rates itemised below will take effect from next Sunday, April 7th as it is the first Sunday in April. Statutory Maternity …
Read the full Story “April 6th – Or 7th Which Is The Date For Changes”

 Rules on Non-Disclosure Agreements May Be About To Change Non-Disclosure Agreements are not uncommon in the domestic employment world and, in many cases, their use is totally acceptable in preventing confidential information being leaked. However, the now international ME TOO movement has highlighted how in some cases where employees have been made to sign such …
Read the full Story “Rules On Non-Disclosure Agreements May Be About To Change”

Care of elderly in the spotlight again. New research shows that almost half a million carers for elderly, ill or disabled relatives have quit in the last two years due to the pressures involved. Carers UK, the main membership charity in the United Kingdom for carers, says that the number of people now balancing work …
Read the full Story “Care of elderly in the spotlight again”

Massive rise in fines for pension auto-enrolment errors During the last financial year the number of fines for Pension Auto-Enrolment errors shot up to 35,810 from 14,650 the previous year. The reason..? The expansion after 2017 of the enrolment scheme to employers of less than 50 people….and that may well include you. Pensions Act 2008 …
Read the full Story “Massive Rise In Fines For Pension Auto-Enrolment Errors….Make Sure You Don’t Get On The List!”

A report by London Fire Brigade on fire safety in London residential care homes has highlighted a series of worrying issues which resulted in 57% of 177 homes being given formal notification to address the issues. In April 2017 a Cheshunt care home in Hertfordshire was the scene of a major fire. Firefighters rescued 33 …
Read the full Story “London Fire Brigade Finds Fire Assessment Worries In Over Half Of City’s Care Homes”

It’s only fair isn’t it, a member of your domestic staff has been off sick for a while, so can you reduce their holiday entitlement? The answer is No. It is not only unfair it is illegal and could leave you open to a tribunal claim. Staff do not need to be at work to …
Read the full Story “Your Employee Has Been Off Sick – So You Can Deduct A Part Of Their Holiday Entitlement…Think Again!”

Information on past old and minor offences has, until now, been given to employers and potential employers in Standard and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. But the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of three people who said their lives had been held back by the disclosure of such offences. Now, the government …
Read the full Story “Rules On Disclosure Of Some Convictions Set To Change”

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”