Charities update: Horizons
Our latest update for charities and social enterprises provides practical legal insights into the opportunities and challenges for charities in 2023. The update offers:
Karen Collins
5 things HR teams can do today to boost menopause support in the workplace
Ministers have rejected a recommendation to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. There is a significant evidence base for the change, with more than two in five (44%) of women saying their ability to work had been affected due to the menopause. However, despite ministers rejecting the change in the law, businesses …
Impact governance: 7 essentials for governing a purpose-driven business
Your corporate purpose is your compass, guiding your profitability and your business’ wider impact on the world. In defining what corporate purpose should be, there’s clear momentum towards stakeholder capitalism in the UK, with initiatives like the B Corp movement and the Better Business Act bringing corporate purpose into the spotlight. In addition, social and …
New Year, New Act: Subsidy Control
After what has seemed for many of us to be a ‘long haul’ (no mean feat in lawyerly terms), as of 4 January 2023 we have a fully-fledged subsidy control regime in the UK with the now in-force Subsidy Control Act 2022 (the Act) and corresponding secondary legislation and guidance. The double-prize goes to Northern …
What’s on the horizon for HR directors in 2023? Q&A with Paul Seath and Paul Jennings, partners in the employment team at Bates Wells
It looks like the unsettled market conditions are here to stay for a little longer and will continue as we head into 2023. What does this mean for those teams responsible for the HR strategy in their organisations? How will the market affect HR teams in both the day-to-day and across their key strategic objectives, …
Unlocking restricted funds: our top tips
In this cost-of-living crisis, many charities will be looking at whether they can unlock their restricted funds and endowments to use them for other purposes, including to support their core operating costs. All charities should review their restricted funds and endowments from time to time to make sure they are still fit for purpose. We’ve …
What’s on the horizon for immigration law? Q&A with Chetal Patel, our new Head of Immigration at Bates Wells
It looks like the unsettled market conditions are set to continue as we head into 2023. What does this mean for those teams responsible for the immigration strategy in their organisations? In this Q&A, Chetal Patel, our new Head of Immigration at Bates Wells, covers: What’s on the horizon for immigration law? Q&A with Chetal …
Bates Wells Impact Report 2022
It’s been another busy year at Bates Wells and we continue to live through interesting times. Martin Bunch, our Managing Partner, is increasingly convinced of the need for business to be radical, to step up and address the biggest challenges that we face. Our people work on this on a daily basis. This impact report …
Safeguarding vulnerable service users and staff online | Our top tips for an effective Digital Safety Policy
In this article, we look at some of the ways organisations can protect themselves and others, including through having a Digital Safety Policy. With the tragic case of Molly Russell in the news recently, and the Online Safety Bill having now reached report stage in the House of Commons, digital and online safety is an …
New guide: Best practice for approaching investigations
Investigations are, unfortunately, a fact of life for many charities. We’ve learned through experience that it’s important for charities to have a plan in place, as well as a thorough and objective process that will stand up to scrutiny and minimise the risks to your charity. The circumstances that can prompt investigations can vary widely. …
Changes to the guidance on sponsoring migrant workers: What do employers need to know?
The Home Office recently made several changes to the guidance on sponsoring migrant workers. Overall, these are positive changes for sponsors, by reducing the reporting trigger points and building in much needed flexibility where a worker is off work for compelling reasons. Changes have been made to suit a post-pandemic world. As a result of …
Impact real estate: Embracing the change in the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (“MEES”)
The next deadline under the MEES Regulations is 1 April 2023. While many articles outline the penalties of not meeting the new standard, we like to see the changes as an opportunity for landlords to accelerate their sustainability strategy and ultimately create long-term positive impact for their tenants as well as the value of their …