First published on Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Last updated on Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, your rundown of the week’s top HR and employment law stories.
UK economy shows no growth after 2024 Autumn Budget
According to revised figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK economy showed no signs of growth in the last quarter. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has faced criticism from business leaders for her budget, which includes increases to employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage. In reply, she has said that the challenge to fix the economy is “huge”.
Whatever your stance on the budget, your business will need to be ready for changes that will become law early as April 2025. Your business can remain compliant by using BrightHR Payroll, a leading online software that bridges the gap between HR and payroll processes.
Ofcom apologises for inappropriate employee LinkedIn post
Media regulator Ofcom has apologised for what it calls an “ill-judged” employee post regarding a job monitoring pornographic websites for illegal content and preventing children from accessing that content.
The post, which read “Always wanted to work in porn but don’t have the feet for an OnlyFans? Now is your chance.”, is an urgent reminder that employers need clear and fair social media policies in place to prevent misuse.
Humour in job adverts can be a great way for businesses to showcase their unique culture to prospective hires. However, discretion is advised—particularly for sensitive subjects and topics like this.
With more employees than ever seeking to use their social media to influence, strict guidelines and clear frameworks are needed to protect your staff and your business. Use a compliant document library like BrightBase to build your social media policy quickly and compliantly. And get expert support during disciplinaries or investigations for when you feel an employee has possibly gone too far.
Contractor fined £860,000 after fatal accident
A labourer has died after being wounded by a bale arm in the Shetland Islands. The HSE found that the contractor did not identify the risks of the bale arm falling and failed to put in place a safe system to protect anyone using, maintaining, or cleaning skips.
Imposing a fine of £860,000, the sheriff in charge of the case stated: “It is necessary for me to impose a financial penalty that sends a message that companies must do all within their power to ensure safe working practices.”
“It is the responsibility of not only those who manage a company. The duty extends to others including shareholders.”
Aside from the tragic loss of life and huge oversight from the contractor, the case serves as an important reminder for all employers about the importance of conducting risk assessments, reducing hazards with near-miss reporting, and practicing a safety-first culture.
And that’s a wrap. Tune in next week for more headlines to make sure you stay ahead of major employment law changes!
