Summary of New Changes: In this blog article, we’ll explore the recent changes in the Statement of Fitness for Work, commonly known as the “fit note.” The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced significant enhancements to this essential document. These updates include a new digital-friendly format, expanded certifying professionals, and integration into healthcare […]
Calendar of Learning and Development Events from September 2023 to March 2024 Bywater Kent Support Services Ltd, offer an extensive range of training, available both online, at partner schools or on a bespoke basis within your school. Our training is delivered by experienced and knowledgeable staff who are up to date with the latest best […]
The world of work is constantly evolving, and flexibility has become a key consideration for employers in the UK. Historically, formal flexible working arrangements were limited to those in caregiving roles. However, in 2014, the UK expanded the right to formally request flexible working to all employees with more than 26 weeks of continuous employment. […]
Introduction: The recent disruptions in air travel due to air traffic control issues have left many employers grappling with the challenge of managing employee absence for staff who are unable to return for the start of the academic year. This blog article provides insights into how Managers can respond. **Addressing Flight Disruption and Absence** As […]
Mental health conditions are also one of the leading causes of absence, with over 12% of employees taking days off as a result. The cost of presenteeism, where employees come to work even if they’re struggling, is even greater. Worryingly, poor mental health in the workplace is extremely common, with 1 in 4 workers silently […]
Why is menopause a workplace issue? There are very good reasons why employers should treat menopause as an important occupational health and people management issue. Fostering an age- and gender-inclusive workforce in paramount. There are very few workplaces where menopause is not an issue affecting women employees. For example, in the UK, there are almost […]
The current state of play? The National Education Union (NEU) has voted to reject the DfE’s latest pay offer for teachers. New strike days for NEU member teachers in England have been announced on: Other unions have also rejected the pay offer, including the NAHT, which has said it will meet to discuss formal ballot action for strikes. See the […]
Mental health issues can have a significant impact on staff members and their ability to work. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your staff feels supported and cared for. – this is called ‘Duty of Care’. Providing help for mental well-being is vital for any organisation to maintain healthy levels of […]
The latest National Joint Council (NJC) pay update for April 2023 has been released, marking an important milestone for the unions involved. UNISON, GMB and Unite have submitted their pay claim, which includes a range of proposals for improved pay and conditions for staff. These include a review of NJC terms for family leave and […]
The notion of “protected conversations” and “without prejudice conversations” share the same purpose of fostering open communication between employers and employees in specific scenarios, without the risk of legal repercussions. However, there are subtle differences between the two, with a protected conversation being held prior to any disputes and a without prejudice conversation employed when […]
