Insight Hub

• 28 May 2024
• | Reece Ashmore

Winning strategy – the benefits of sports for employee mental health

In the words of Curtis Mayfield, as we ‘Move on Up’ towards the end of the working week it is important for both employers and employees to consider the causal connection between engaging in physical activity and positive mental health. Research has proven that individuals engaging in regular physical activity can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce stress levels, improve their mood and help to prevent physical illness.

• 28 May 2024
• | Robin Turnbull

Navigating gender dynamics in Education

The landscape of gender identity and its legal implications has undergone significant evolution in recent years, presenting complex challenges for both employers and service providers as they strive to create inclusive environments.

• 28 May 2024
• | Robin Turnbull

Navigating voluntary severance and restructures

Amid escalating costs pressures and a decline in public funding, educational institutions across Scotland and the UK may be considering operating voluntary severance schemes and restructuring.

• 3 May 2024
• | Anne Chapman

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: New provisions for large land holdings

The much-anticipated Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is now upon us and was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 13 March 2024. Although the Bill covers large land holdings and leasing this is a brief overview of the provisions on large land holdings.

• 3 May 2024
• | Mark Templeton

Fines for breaching Right to Work laws tripled on 13 February 2024: Time to know your Right to Work checks

From 13 February 2024 the fines employers can receive if found to have employed an illegal worker tripled from:

£15,000 to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach
£20,000 to £60,000 per illegal worker for a subsequent breach

• 2 May 2024
• | Karen Craig

Meat versus plant-based diets – who wins in the battle for green food credentials?

Consumer expectations in terms of the food we eat have transformed in recent years. People – especially the younger generation - are more likely to want to know where their food has come from, how it has been processed, and whether it will have a negative impact on the environment.

• 26 April 2024
• | Tim Macdonald

LDT long continuations: avoid sleepwalking into a 10-year lease extension

November 2024 may be your last chance to review your farm lease for 10 years.

Following the agricultural tenancy reforms of 2003, many landlords and tenants in Scotland signed “limited duration tenancies” (LDTs), most commonly with an initial term of 15 years.

• 18 April 2024
• | Chris McDowall

New hate crime law: stirring up complexity for employers

In its first week, Scotland’s new Hate Crime Act has prompted hundreds of column inches, demonstrations outside the Scottish Parliament, and over 7,000 filed complaints.

• 12 April 2024
• | Jemma Forrest

New legal rights for carers: What HR professionals need to know

At a time when more workers than ever before have caring responsibilities let’s break down the Carer's Leave Regulations 2024 and consider how and why employers should go above and beyond in providing more than the minimum that’s required by law.

• 11 April 2024
• | Douglas McLachlan

Why you need a cyber and data security plan, and how to start it

It’s difficult to miss that there have been several high-profile data breaches recently. Many were caused by cyber-attacks. Some of these organisations have even set up 24-hour helplines to explain how to pay the ransom!

• 11 April 2024
• | Linsey Barclay-Smith

Adapting to climate change – how momentum builds resilience

A few years ago, I attended a fascinating talk by a speaker from the well-respected James Hutton Institute about Climate Change in the UK. The islands were depicted on a large screen and the graphic rapidly changed colour as it portrayed the documented temperature changes in the UK from 1918-2018.

• 10 April 2024
• | Lisa Flaherty

Securing the future: succession planning for small businesses

In a post-pandemic world, the resilience of small businesses is being tested like never before. The exceptional challenges brought about by Covid-19 have highlighted the importance of having clear plans in place for the continuity and succession of businesses, regardless of size and structure.