caroline

About Caroline Banwell

Caroline Banwell (LL.B. Hons.) trained and worked initially as a solicitor for a major London law firm. She has advised a wide variety of clients from SMEs to multinationals and from small primary schools to Cambridge Colleges. As well as considerable knowledge of the business and education sectors, she has also worked extensively for the charity sector and was recommended in the Charities and Not for Profit section of the 2017 Legal 500 for her work heading the Cambridge office employment team at leading charity and education firm, Stone King. Caroline collaborates with other Cambridge HR consultants on project work from time to time. Caroline gives advice through Harmony HR Solutions Limited as an HR consultant and not as a solicitor and Harmony HR Solutions Limited is not regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority. Caroline works as a solicitor for Kesteven Partners Limited which is a law firm regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.

New Employer Duties to Prevent Sexual Harassment

There’s even more to get excited about this Saturday than an hour’s less daylight in the afternoon! From this Saturday, 26 October, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the course of employment. Note that this new duty only applies to sexual harassment and not to all types [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:03+00:00October 25th, 2024|Sexual Harassment|Comments Off on New Employer Duties to Prevent Sexual Harassment

Changes to self-isolation requirements

What do the changes mean for employers? As part of its “Living with Covid” plan, from Thursday 24 February 2022, the Government is removing the legal requirement to self-isolate for those with Covid symptoms.  Until now anyone who has Covid symptoms and tests positive (via PCR or lateral flow) has [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:04+00:00February 23rd, 2022|Covid-19|Comments Off on Changes to self-isolation requirements

Returning to the workplace updates

Questions and answers based on guidance updated on 30 March 2021 What do employers need to do before staff return to the workplace? 1) All employers should ensure that they have carried out a Covid risk assessment similar to the one here: Example Workplace Risk Assessment 2) Ensure your workplace is Covid-secure by [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:04+00:00April 15th, 2021|Covid-19|Comments Off on Returning to the workplace updates

Shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable to end this month

The latest Government guidance has declared that extremely clinically vulnerable people no longer need to shield from 1 April 2021. The guidance clarifies that from 1 April 2021 those who are extremely vulnerable: should continue to work from home where possible should go to work where they cannot work from home are no [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:04+00:00March 19th, 2021|Covid-19|Comments Off on Shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable to end this month

Why Uber drivers are laughing all the way to court!

Why Uber drivers are laughing all the way to court! The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Uber drivers are “workers” and therefore entitled the National Minimum Wage and to paid holiday. The result of the decision is catastrophic for Uber, whose share price plummeted on the announcement of the decision. The company now [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:04+00:00February 22nd, 2021|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Why Uber drivers are laughing all the way to court!

COVID-19 – Extended Furlough Scheme

A key date emerged two days ago in the government guidance for extending furlough: furlough / flexi-furlough agreements must be entered into by Friday 13 November 2020 at the latest for extended furlough to be claimed from 1 November 2020. Here is the link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/extension-of-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Section 3.2 of the guidance states: To be [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:04+00:00November 12th, 2020|Covid-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 – Extended Furlough Scheme

COVID-19 – Flexible Furlough and Health and Safety

Part-time furloughing Organisations can furlough staff part-time from tomorrow, 1 July 2020.  The Treasury Direction released on Friday states that a written agreement must be in place with the employee before they are “flexibly-furloughed”.  Agreements were required with full-time furloughed employees, but you will need to vary the terms or ask employees to sign a new agreement [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:05+00:00June 30th, 2020|Covid-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 – Flexible Furlough and Health and Safety

Working Parents and COVID-19 – a guide for employers and employees

It’s tough being a working parent at the best of times, but the lack of school and childcare options during the Covid-19 lockdown and its aftermath has tested the patience of parents, and many employers, to the limit.  Not only are many children unable to attend school and nursery, but school clubs and [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:05+00:00June 22nd, 2020|Covid-19|Comments Off on Working Parents and COVID-19 – a guide for employers and employees

COVID-19 – Furlough Scheme Changes July 1st

The furlough scheme (CJRS) changes on 1 July as follows: Employees can work part-time and be furloughed for the remainder of the time Employees no longer need to be furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks. For a summary of the changes for July click here. For an example of how to claim for part-time furloughing [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:05+00:00June 15th, 2020|Covid-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 – Furlough Scheme Changes July 1st

COVID-19 – Furlough Deadline

Today is the last chance to place employees on furlough leave for the first time.  Anyone who has never been furloughed by the end of today will not be eligible for furlough leave in future under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. That said, news broke yesterday that an exception will be made for parents [...]

By |2024-10-28T11:56:05+00:00June 10th, 2020|Covid-19|Comments Off on COVID-19 – Furlough Deadline
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