The first quarter of this year was the busiest for corporate insolvencies since 2012, according to the latest figures. It’s feared there may be worse to come because of rising inflation, increased fuel costs, and reduced consumer spending. The increase in interest rates is also likely to have an adverse effect on business viability. Data
A teacher who was made to express her breastmilk either in an unhygienic bathroom or in her car was a victim of harassment related to sex, a judge has ruled. The case involved Ms T Mellor, who was a teacher at the Academy Trust at Mirfield Free Grammar School. Mellor had her first child in
One in five employers want to introduce a ‘no jab, no job’ policy over the next year, according to a poll carried out for Acas. Acas commissioned YouGov to ask British businesses about whether they plan to make it a requirement for staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of employment. Acas Chief
The Employment Tribunal has ruled that a former employee was subjected to direct race discrimination after a client demanded that only “white female croupiers” deal for him. The case involved Ms Semhar Tesfagiorgis, who worked for Crown London Aspinalls for over 13 years. The casino’s patrons were wealthy individuals and the respondent kept records of
Commercial property landlords will be aware of the importance of EPC (Environmental Performance Certificate) on their building and the impacts it can potentially have on lettings. It is currently a legal requirement that commercial buildings must have a rating of at least an E before a new or renewal lease can be granted. However, with
The High Court has outlined what constitutes a business partnership in law following a dispute between a couple who ran a business together. The case involved Ms Burnett and Mr Barker. Barker had set up a business as a sole trader offering fire safety services at events. Burnett was working for a company that dealt
A worker at a pet food shop has won her claim of unfair dismissal after she raised concerns over her employer’s Covid protocol. Leah Best worked for Embark on Raw, a pet food retailer owned by husband-and-wife team David and Andrea Fletcher. In March 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic, measures were put in
The late payment problem is getting worse and is now threatening to destroy thousands of small businesses, according to a survey carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The study of more than 1,200 business owners found that one in three businesses (30%) have seen late payment of invoices increase over the last
Introduction Ikea, Ocado, Next and Morrisons along with several other large employers have recently announced that unvaccinated UK employees, without a valid medical exemption, who take time off work to self-isolate will not be paid their normal ‘day rate’. Instead, they will be paid the legal minimum Statutory Sick Pay rate of just £96.35 a
The Court of Appeal has provided a helpful insight into how to deal with failures to comply with the right to manage procedure set out in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. The issue arose in a case involving Eastern Pyramid Group Corp SA v Spire House RTM Co Ltd. The RTM company had served