We round up the latest employment news.
Right to work checks – government updates guidance
The Home Office has updated guidance for employers carrying out right to work checks during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s extended the concession allowing employers to carry out a manual right to work check using video conferencing and copies of supporting documents to Tuesday 31 August 2021 (previously Sunday 20 June 2021).
This aligns with the government's decision to delay the relaxation of lockdown measures until Monday 19 July 2021.
Travel exemptions for senior executives returning to the UK from abroad
The Home Office has updated its guidance webpage 'Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions'.
Under the guidance, certain senior executives are exempt from needing to complete a passenger locator form when arriving from a green, amber or red-list country. They also don’t need to self-isolate if arriving from an amber-list country.
The guidance also provides an update on the exemptions for aerospace engineers, overseas elite sportspersons, non-UK border officials and contractors, and those undertaking 'regular work abroad'.
Workplace fatalities increased during COVID-19
Almost 150 workers were killed in work accidents in the 12 months to 2021, according to the Health and Safety Executive – an increase of 25% on the previous year. Over half were in agriculture, forestry, fishing and construction.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be:
- Falling from height
- Being struck by a moving vehicle
- Being struck by a moving object.
The figures also continue to highlight the risks to older workers. Around 30% of fatal injuries in 2020/21 involved workers aged 60 or over, even though they only made up around 11% per cent of the workforce.
In statistical terms, the number of fatalities has remained broadly level over the last five years. The figures don’t include deaths arising from occupational exposure to disease, including COVID-19.
Only 12% of employers are aware of ‘T’ levels
Only 12% of employers have a good understanding of T levels, according to research published by Ofqual in its annual Perceptions of Vocational and Technical Qualifications in England survey.
More than 60% of employers said they either had ‘no understanding at all’ or ‘not very good understanding’ of the new technical qualifications.
‘T’ levels were introduced in September 2020 as an equivalent to three ‘A’ levels. They offer students a mixture of classroom learning and on-the-job experience. The government’s described these qualifications as “gold standard”.
Read More - July 2021
For general enquiries
0808 291 3524
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
