In two separate decisions, the High Court provides a new sentencing framework that imposes heftier punishments for failing to ensure the safety of employees at work and provides clarification as to whether settlement payments may be taken into consideration when determining the amount of compensation payable by an employer for workplace injury. The General Division of the High Court (SGHC) in two recent decisions in Public Prosecutor v Manta Equipment (S) Pte Ltd [2022] SGHC 157 and MTM Ship Management Pte Ltd v Devaswarupa and others [2022] SGHC 178 considered two pieces of legislation concerning workplace safety and accidents in Singapore.
On 26 July 2022, the UK Government published its responses to the 2018 consultation on employment status. The consultation had invited stakeholders to make online submissions on how to address various issues with the UK’s current framework for the employment and tax statuses of individuals. At present, for tax purposes, there are two tax statuses: (i) self-employed and (ii) employed; while for employment law purposes there are effectively three statuses: (i) worker; (ii) employee and (iii) self-employed.
As organizations settle into more flexible working arrangements in the wake of the pandemic, we are seeing a wave of changes in Inclusion, Diversity & Equity-related legislation. Across the globe, governments are seeking to augment long-established, generic laws on equality to promote inclusion and diversity in the workforce and keep up with measures that many organizations are already implementing. In this HR Trend Watch, we summarize recent trends and developments in I,D&E, focusing in particular on those relating to women in the workplace and work-life balance.
In Canada, attempting to stop an employee from sharing confidential information, competing, or soliciting customers, suppliers or employees can be tricky. In this In Focus video, our Labor and Employment lawyers discuss the current state of the restrictive covenant landscape and what steps employers can take to protect their businesses.
While Hong Kong and mainland China have had anti-discrimination laws in place that protect employees from various types of discrimination at the workplace, recent developments and increasing employee awareness of their rights have led to increased focus on this area. Whilst Singapore does not currently have any workplace discrimination laws per se, there have been some recent developments.
Join us for this webinar where our employment team from Baker McKenzie Hong Kong & China, and Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow will explore the discrimination laws and regulations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, consequences for non-compliance, and what employers need to bear in mind regarding their human resources policies.
The Supreme Court has confirmed that the 12.07% formula commonly used to calculate holiday pay for workers with irregular hours is incorrect. Using it will in some cases result in an underpayment. Employers who rely on this formula should ascertain whether it creates any material liabilities for their organisations (Harpur Trust v Brazel).
The Baker McKenzie London Employment team is delighted to share episode one of our new virtual miniseries, which focuses on the various challenges that organisations are likely to need to navigate when facing industrial action. A number of the factors and issues that are relevant to the current spate of trade disputes and industrial unrest – rising energy prices, the cost of living crisis, high rates of inflation – are not expected to disappear or resolve themselves overnight. As such, industrial action, or at least threats of industrial action, is expected to increase in prevalence across different industries and organisations over the coming months.
In an article published for ELA briefing, Jon Tuck and Richard Cook discuss the latest Employment Appeal Tribunal decision considering the unlawful inducement relating to collective bargaining under section 145B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
On 9 July 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order announcing his administration’s commitment to increasing vigorous antitrust enforcement. At the one-year anniversary of the EO, a recent flurry of enforcement efforts signals that the Department of Justice remains vigilant in carrying out the EO’s initiatives, especially in the labor markets.
Baker McKenzie is pleased to submit its next, the sixth edition of Ukrainian Laws in Wartime: Guide for International and Domestic Businesses, a brief overview of the key features of wartime legislation.
This issue contains updated responses to the most common questions raised and considered by international and Ukrainian businesses these days in the following practice areas:
• Martial Law and Special Legislation
• Employment and Migration
• Financial Arrangements and Financial Sector
• Corporate
• Tax and Customs Regime
• Real Estate
• Work of State Courts and Arbitration Tribunals
• Enforcement Proceedings
• Intellectual Property
• Antitrust and Competition
• Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare