Insight Hub

• 14 June 2024
• | Craig McCracken

Navigating the New UK Tipping Rules: A Guide for Employers

On 1 October 2024, new UK-wide legislation on tipping will come into force, significantly altering the landscape for restaurants and other hospitality outlets. These changes mandate that tips must be passed onto all workers fairly without any deductions being made, with businesses required to have a written policy and keep records detailing how tips have been dealt with.

• Date: 29 August 2024

Managers’ Bootcamp 2024

In this one-day management bootcamp, we covered the knowledge and skills needed to handle key issues within your team, including conduct, coaching and improving performance, managing absence, avoiding discrimination, and a great deal more.

• 6 June 2024
• | Musab Hemsi

What do the changes in TUPE transfer regulations mean for you?

The Employment Rights Regulations 2023 comes into effect on 1 July 2024. The UK's Transfer of Undertakings Regulations provide legal protections for employees who are impacted when a business changes hands or a customer decides to outsource, re-tender or bring services in-house.  Many find TUPE regulations complicated and time-consuming, however, it is crucial to get them right and stay legally compliant.

• 3 June 2024
• | Robin Turnbull

Artificial intelligence: The Trade Union Congress (TUC) workplace Bill

In today's fast-paced work environment, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a transformative shift in how businesses operate. On the one hand, there are unprecedented opportunities but on the other, there are significant risks.

• 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.