Have you heard the latest news?

Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we give you a rundown of the week's top employment law stories. Stay on the pulse of current trends impacting your business, plus get up-to-the-minute commentaries on all things HR and legal.

Zooming back to the office?

So, let’s check out this week’s headlines…

The very platform that has allowed so many to work from home, Zoom, has said they expect employees who live within a “commutable” distance of their office to attend at least two days a week.

And they’re not the first big tech company to do a U-turn. Both Google and Amazon have recently said they’re moving away from remote working to adopt a hybrid approach.

When moving from a remote to hybrid model, employers should act carefully, communicate properly with staff, and get accurate advice on changing terms and conditions. Effort and understanding is required from both parties.

Ask BrightLightning: What are some of the legal considerations for hybrid working?

Acas updates sickness absence guidance

The Acas guidance on managing sickness and other types of absence has been updated.

It now includes sections on recording and reducing sickness absence,as well as absence trigger points.

This new guidance is in addition to the existing advice Acas provides on *absence policies, unauthorised absence, sick pay, fit notes, doctor’s reports, and return-to-work plans. *

Fines triple for…

Employing illegal workers!

The government has announced their plans to significantly raise the fines payable by employers who allow illegal migrants to work for them. The fine for a first breach is currently £15,000 but this is set to increase in 2024 up to £45,000 per illegal worker.

For repeated breaches, the fine will increase from £20,000 up to £60,000. Employers should already be carrying out right-to-work checks either via a manual check of original documentation or through the Home Office’s online checking service.

Later this year, the Home Office will consult on the options to strengthen action against licensed businesses that are employing illegal workers.

Ask BrightLightning: How do I check right-to-work documents?

And that’s a wrap. Tune in next week for more headlines and make sure you stay ahead of major employment law changes!