One of the main queries I get asked by businesses, regardless of its size, is if they can dismiss an employee without the risk of the individual bringing forward a claim for unfair dismissal.

Can you fire an employee risk-free?

The short answer is that there's always the potential risk of a claim being lodged against the business - it's just a case of minimising the risk and strengthening the employer's position.

There are five potentially fair legal reasons for dismissal:

•    Misconduct
•    Capability
•    Redundancy
•    statutory duty for example not having a work permit,
•    A ‘catch all’ reason, known as ‘some other substantial reason" or SOSR’. More...

Today sees the Government's implementation of the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) and raised the National Minimum Wage from £6.31 per hour to £6.50 for those aged 21 and over.

The New National Minimum Wage

Thanks to the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) there is a new, higher National Minimum Wage. Those over the age of 21 years old should see a 19p increase in their hourly wage, increasing the amount from £6.31 to £6.50.
Other pay brackets will also increase. The new wages are as follows:

•    Apprentices (under 19 or in first year of apprenticeship) - £2.73
•    Employees aged 16-17 - £3.79
•    Employees aged 18-20 - £5.13 More...

There has been much debate recently regarding the use of zero-hour contracts by UK employers. But what are they and what are their advantages/disadvantages? 

What Are Zero-Hour Contracts?

As the name suggests, a zero-hour contract means no obligation on the employer to provide the worker with any working hours. Similarly, the worker is under no obligation to accept those hours when they are offered. More...