Robert Cragg HR

20/11/2022

Thought it might be useful to share a few considerations for employers dealing with people's natural enthusiasm for the World Cup.

Let me start by saying that the fact that there is a football tournament going on doesn't change people's normal terms and conditions of employment. If employers choose to be more flexible or generous during the tournament, they need to be clear about what the parameters are, and what the consequences will be if people don't respect them.

Time off: Are you going to be more flexible about allowing time off for people who want to watch a match with family and friends? If you are, don't restrict it to England matches, or you may be discriminating against staff who support other teams.

Sickness absence: Be clear that the normal rules apply, and that anyone claiming to be sick to watch a match may face disciplinary consequences.

Watching matches at work: Are you going to watch as a team? Are you giving people the time, or will they move lunch breaks/time off to cover? If you give time off, what about people who aren't interested in football? Again, don't restrict any arrangements to England games.

Drinking while watching: Really not a good idea. Employers will be responsible should anything go wrong, from Health and Safety to racial/sexual harassment.

Caution: This is a controversial World Cup. Make sure debate about the rights and wrongs doesn't turn into discrimination and harassment, and that no-one is made to feel uncomfortable.

In general, remember that in your teams you will have people with different levels of interest or none, and different allegiances. They should all feel equally comfortable over the next month. If they don't, employers may find themselves in difficulties.

Be Clear. Be Fair. Be Consistent.

D

22/08/2022

I've been warning people for years not to lie in their CV. Apart from it being unethical, if you're caught out, it can cost you not only your job, but your career and reputation. In can also result in civil, or even criminal legal action.
Now, in an important case, the Supreme Court has ruled that a man who falsely claimed to have PhD must pay back a proportion of his salary under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Don't do it, it really isn't worth it.

01/03/2022

Happy St David's Day to my Welsh clients and their families

29/10/2021

If you employ someone with an underlying medical condition, you need to take it seriously!

Judge ruled that his conduct was because of his condition and this should not have been “lightly disregarded” when it came to dismissal

18/10/2021

Incredible that a firm offering HR advice could treat one of their own staff like this. I particularly like that the unwarranted allegations against the claimant made by the offie manager added £12.500 to the award - least said, soonest mended, eh?

Judge upholds all worker’s discrimination claims, ruling employer’s conduct caused ‘detrimental and adverse’ stress that affected her ability to breastfeed her baby

21/08/2020

It was very nice to get this in an email from a client this morning:

"Thank you very much for all your help. It was exactly the navigation that I needed and valuable service!"

26/07/2020

What your employees do when they're not at work is up to them - until it affects your business. This is quite a long read, but raises some interesting issues

21/07/2020

Increasing or changing your home-working arrangements? You may want to think about getting some HR advice!