Following the recent government announcement setting out the proposed roadmap out of lockdown, Daniel Krigers comments in this week’s video on the legal implications for employers as a large section of the UK workforce prepares to get back to work here

If you have any queries about the matters discussed in this video, please email employmenthub@chadlaw.co.uk for help and advice.

Re-Opening of Workplaces

In England, the four-step timetable will begin on 8 March 2021. Local tiers have been dispensed with and the plan cautiously anticipates that all restrictions could be removed by 21 June 2021. A summary of which businesses may re-open in each step was published on 24 February 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england/reopening-businesses-and-venues

Employment Status – UK Supreme Court Rules that Uber Drivers are Classed as ‘Workers’

Uber’s recent statement that the recent judgment only applies to a small number of drivers who used the app in 2016, Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for BEIS, stated that the government will “make sure” that Uber complies with the judgment. Mr Scully suggested that other gig economy employers must also consider the judgment and respond accordingly, and that the government will do the same. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-02-24/debates/D1DD02E7-C786-42ED-B72E-B396380ACACC/UberSupremeCourtRuling

Personal Data & Europe

The confirmation of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU at the end of 2020 has implications for businesses who process personal data from the EU and when data is transferred from the UK to Europe or processed in Europe. See our article: https://www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk/legal-news/personal-data-europe/

Beach Money for Employees: Extreme Remote Working

The mandatory requirement to work from home (when you are able to do so) has demonstrated that infrastructure, systems and equipment can be provided for remote access; therefore, could it be a fair challenge by an employee that the location of work is in fact now irrelevant?  What would the employer make of the budding jet-setting worker and would they be supportive of their plans? See our article: https://www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk/news/beach-money-employees-extreme-remote-working/