College fined following death of lecturer from COVID-19
The Health and Safety Executive opened a fatality investigation following the death of a college lecturer from COVID-19 in January 2021.
Although it said it was impossible to conclude that the lecturer died following exposure to the virus in her place of work, the college did breach the legal requirements in place at the time. It found that the college failed to meet social distancing and ventilation requirements, failed to enforce the wearing of face coverings by some staff and senior managers, and that staff were being encouraged not to report close contacts with Covid. It also held a staff Christmas party in December 2020 ,which breached social distancing rules. The college has been fined for all breaches. You can read more about the case here.
DfE pressed to find emergency funding to boost staff pay
The Association of Colleges (AOC) has written to the Department for Education asking for emergency funding to help resolve pay disputes with unions. With inflation currently running at around 9% (and expected to rise), unions are asking for a 10% rise, subject to a minimum of £2,000. Some have already threatened strike action.
Huge increase in the number people working with a disability
The latest labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of disabled people in employment has increased by 1.3 million since 2017. And the number of disabled people in work in January to March 2022 was 4.8 million.
20% of employers say they intend to implement a ‘no jab, no job’ policy
Over 20% of employers intend to implement a ‘no jab no job’ coronavirus policy for new and existing staff in 2022, according to a new survey from Acas.
Acas advises employers to support staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine rather than require them to get it. But, if they do go ahead with a vaccination policy, it recommends that they should talk with staff or a trade union if they have one.
How should HR handle the cost of living crisis?
Inflation is likely to hit 10% in autumn 2022. Many people are already feeling the pinch, including many people who work full-time.
Personnel Today provide six tips to consider:
- Being creative with reward
- Supporting employee’s mental health
- Mitigating costs
- Acting fairly in terms of the wages paid
- Reducing the commute
- Developing staff.
Read more – June 2022
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