An employment tribunal has determined that an employee with long COVID symptoms was disabled within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010). At the beginning of June and with a suspected 1.8 mission people in the UK estimated to be experiencing Long Covid Symptoms, we considered whether Long Covid is
Is Long COVID a Disability Under the Equality Act?
1.8 million people in the UK are estimated to be experiencing long COVID symptoms by the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) COVID-19 Infection Survey, but how many are likely to be considered to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010? According to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) COVID-19 Infection Survey, based on self-reported
Bank Holiday Office Closure – Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
On the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the offices of ELS will be closed on Thursday 2 June and Friday 3 June 2022 and shall reopen at 9.00am on Monday 6 June 2022. Whatever your plans might be for this extended Bank Holiday weekend, we wish you well!
Calls for Menstrual Leave and Better Workplace Support in the UK
Following approval by Spanish politicians of a draft Bill to provide three days of paid leave for people with severe period pain, UK menstruation and period pain charities have called on the UK government to introduce menstruation leave. Currently under UK law, those who experience period pain should use their sick leave for time off
Health and Safety Executive Publishes Revised Advice for Workplaces
On 31 March 2022, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published revised advice to workplaces regarding COVID-19. We take a look at the revised guidance and other steps employers can take to reduce the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace. The revised advice follows the relaxation of COVID-19-related measures across the UK. The advice
Redundancy Advice for Employers
The legal obligations UK employers face when considering making redundancies and the significant legal implications of getting it wrong was brought into sharp focus recently in the P&O Ferries case. We look at the various steps UK employers need to take to make redundancies fairly and legally. The shocking decision by P&O to dismiss 800
Regulations revoke statutory requirement for mandatory vaccination for health and social care workers in England
On 1 March 2022, the government confirmed that it would introduce regulations revoking the statutory requirements for vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and social care settings in England. On 15 March 2022, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) (No 3) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/206) came into force.
The Employment Aspects of the Welsh Administration’s Long-Term COVID-19 Strategy
On 4 March 2022 the Welsh Government published Together for a safer future: Wales’ long-term COVID-19 transition from pandemic to endemic, setting out its long-term strategy for COVID-19 once all legal restrictions have been lifted. The Welsh Administration envisages replacing the legal duty to isolate with guidance, and an end to asymptomatic testing from the end of
Changes to Covid-19 Regulations in Scotland
On 16 March 2022, the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Revocation Regulations 2022 (SSI 2022/92) were made which, amongst other things, revokes requirements for employers to collect visitor data. These Regulations will come into force on 21 March 2022. Among other things, they will revoke: Regulation 3 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations
Covid-19: Upcoming Changes to UK Regulations
With the relaxing of covid restrictions across the UK, various changes to the existing regulations pertaining to sick pay and health & safety requirements for employers are due to come into effect this month. We take a look at the key changes. Key Changes to Covid Regulations This Month From 17 March 2022, existing covid