From April 2021 the rules for engaging individuals through personal service companies are changing.

A recent study has shown that more than half of UK employers who use contractors are still not yet quite prepared for the changes to private sector off-payroll rules, which are due to come into force this April.

At a time when we find ourselves in a third national lockdown that includes the closure of primary and secondary schools (with the exception of vulnerable students and the children of key workers), it’s vital that employers review how the current situation has left their parent employees juggling work, childcare and homeschooling.

The EU transition period is ending on 31st December 2020 and there are implications for organisations that employ EU citizens.

The Government has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) will be extended until the end of April 2021.

How to keep a team engaged and motivated while working apart has been a significant challenge for employers in 2020.

We all realise that there are a lot of changes hitting us from many different directions at present. Getting people onboard and committing to change and a common goal can be tricky, despite growing knowledge of the latest leadership concepts.

Traditionally, employees have been seen as an overhead rather than appreciated as the most important source of revenue within a business. By now, most of us realise that employees are the ones with first-hand experience of your company’s structures, systems, products and services. Not only can they tell what works and what doesn’t, they also have the power to accelerate the changes by engaging themselves and others into the process.

In spite of all its technology, a business is often only as good as its people.

Employers and employees across the UK are being provided with additional financial support as part of the government’s plan for the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Prime Minister announced on Saturday, 31st October, the same day that the second national lockdown across England was announced.

The government has announced today that it will significantly increase the generosity and reach of its winter support schemes to ensure livelihoods and jobs across the UK continue to be protected in the difficult months to come, supporting jobs and helping to contain the virus.

We have heard lots over recent months about remote working. However, what about remote leadership?

How can managers and leaders keep people engaged, motivated and working ‘together’ as a team while they are working apart?

Read on to find out our top tips.

Polly from Rathbone HR was delighted to be asked to speak on a panel yesterday evening focused on the workplace of the future as part of the Marlborough College Club Day, which this year was held virtually.

Further to recent government advice, it seems likely that working from home is set to continue for many employees across the country for the remainder of the year at the very least and quite possibly into the start of 2021 as we’re all urged to ‘work from home’ wherever possible.

As an employer, you may be starting to feel that even your most enthusiastic employees are struggling to keep motivated, as working from home for many can be a tricky beast to handle, with the line between home and work life often becoming blurred.

We believe that employee wellness is key to any organisation. So here are our five top tips for your employees to help keep their head in the game whilst working from home;-

Furlough Scheme - Is your business still eligible to claim?

With the terms of the Furlough Scheme changing on a monthly basis it’s important to ensure your business is still eligible to claim. We’ve created this advisory guide to offer a little more information however should you wish to discuss your businesses individual circumstance, we recommend getting in touch to ensure you are fully abiding by compliance rules.

It’s worth taking the time to ensure your business is still eligible to claim as false claimants can face fines, be made to pay the money back as well as face the prospect of legal prosecution if unlawful activity can be proven.