Updates

The right to work checks concession has been extended to 30 September 2022 – what does this mean for your organisation?

The extension will be great news for employers as many organisations continue to operate a hybrid way of working. What’s the latest? On 22 February 2022, the Home Office extended the temporary adjusted checks once again and confirmed that they will now end on 30 September 2022 (inclusive). The Home Office said the decision to …
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The world of work in 2022

We recently hosted a discussion with a range of HR professionals. The aim was to look ahead to 2022 and consider how the working world will continue to change during the next year and beyond and how our roles as HR professionals will continue to evolve. We started off by collectively discussing how the past …
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Covid-19 Inquiry: The Inquiry will begin its work in Spring 2022

Yesterday, Labour MPs Justin Madders (Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)) and Fleur Anderson (Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)) each submitted written questions to the Cabinet Office relating to the Inquiry.  In response, Michael Ellis, the Paymaster General, confirmed (this was all already known, but does indicate the Government is still sticking to its proposed timetable …
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Data Protection – burden or opportunity?

Eleonor Duhs, our head of Data Privacy, takes a look at how data privacy is rapidly becoming a human rights issue as technology continues to reshape our world. We are at the start of the fourth industrial revolution. Data is at its centre. But good use of data can do more than improve effectiveness. It’s …
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Trade Marks and Brand Protection for Charities: A Guide

This guide covers key aspects of Trade Marks and Brand Protection, such as what a trade mark is, why you need one, applying to register a trade mark and enforcing trade mark rights.
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Coronavirus and UK Immigration: FAQs

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause disruption for UK visa holders and their employers, we are ready to help you understand the ever-changing immigration system. From visa applications and tribunals, through to Skilled Worker sponsorship concerns and rights to work, our expert team of immigration lawyers are on hand to help you. See below …
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New year, new immigration plans

As we kick start 2022, many organisations are planning for the year ahead. Whilst people are central to any strategy, immigration considerations can be easily overlooked. We’ve outlined five key immigration factors that you should build into your strategy, including the recruitment process, sponsorship considerations and HR training. Read our guide to find out more.
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Kick starting your return to the office in 2022 – what did we learn?

Our real estate and employment teams recently held a series of roundtables for members of our charity, corporate occupier, and B Corp/ purposeful business network to share their experiences and ideas around returning to the office. What did we learn?
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Bringing people and the workplace back together: growing social capital through real estate

We continue our reflection on the subject of Bates Wells’ recent Impact Counsels’ Forum, for general counsels working in impact-driven businesses. In part one, we considered how the post-pandemic landscape has changed expectations of the workplace, indicating the need for organisations to develop their strategies for people and premises in tandem. In part two, we …
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Bringing people and the workplace back together: making the link between the ‘E’ and ‘S’ in ESG.

We share our thoughts on the role of the physical workplace in ensuring the wellbeing of the workforce, inspired by some of the discussion and ideas at the recent Impact Counsel’s Forum Bates Wells convenes a regular forum for general counsel working within B Corps, impact investors and purpose-driven businesses of different kinds in our …
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Immigration Compliance MOT

Post-Brexit, EU nationals no longer benefit from Free Movement and must secure immigration status to work in the UK. This is a sea change for employers as well as individuals, and an important time to consider your organisation’s immigration compliance. In particular, have you thought about… Recruitment … how will you recruit post-Brexit and whether …
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Further Home Office update on digital right to work check tool

The Home Office has updated the employer’s guide to right to work checks with further detail about digital identity verification. What is digital identity verification? Identification Document Validation Technology (“IDVT”) is a means of digitally verifying an individual’s identity. In some cases, from 6 April 2022, employers will be able to use accredited providers of …
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