Below is a round-up of recent Covid-related developments. Changes to the self-isolation rules for double-jabbed workers came into force in England from 16 August.  Individuals who received their second dose of the vaccine at least 14 days earlier no longer need to self-isolate if identified as a close contact of someone testing positive, but are … Read more

Our August update focuses on health and safety obligations across Greater China: in the wake of another high profile sexual harassment in the workplace allegation, what are employers’ obligations in relation to preventing sexual harassment in the PRC?  An overview, including the new Shenzhen Sexual Harassment Behaviour Guide, is available here. employee mental health and … Read more

The changes that have been thrust upon employers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the speed with which employers have adapted to them, have undeniably transformed the world of work. Technology has been at the core of much of this. It seems hard to fathom now, but 18 months ago many of us … Read more

The European Court of Justice has ruled that employers may be able to justify a ban on all visible forms of expression of belief in some circumstances.  A ban will not be directly discriminatory on the grounds of a particular belief provided it is applied generally and without differentiation (notwithstanding that those employees whose beliefs … Read more

Our July update includes: an update from Hong Kong and the recent case of Law Ting Pong Secondary School v Chen Wai Wah [2021] CA 873. The case follows the UK position in Cavendish Square Holding BV v Talal El Makdessi [2016] AC 1172, and considers whether notice clauses in contracts of employment (including those … Read more

Sexual harassment in the workplace The Government has just published a  response to its 2019 consultation on possible measures to address sexual harassment in the workplace.  This confirms that it will: introduce a positive duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment in the workplace,  the scope of which would be clarified … Read more

For some time, we’ve seen a gradual increase in employee mental health issues in the workplace and, the events of last year have accelerated this. A survey conducted by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, together with Tung Wah College released in June 2021 found that over 60% of Hong Kong employees interviewed, suffered … Read more

The FCA, PRA and Bank of England (the regulators) have published a discussion paper (DP21/2) which aims to kick-start discussion on how the financial services sector, with the help of the regulators, can “accelerate the pace of meaningful change” in improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) within financial services firms. The policy options being considered in … Read more