Resources

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Bates Wells publishes Gender Pay Report 2019

Today we publish the ‘Bates Wells Gender Pay Report 2019’, our annual analysis of our gender pay data and what we plan to do to address our gender pay gap. At Bates Wells, we are motivated and driven by our purpose and values. We believe in creating a workplace that is fair, inclusive and allows …
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COVID-19: New guidance from UKVI

UKVI has released additional guidance for a number of sectors and visa categories in connection with COVID-19, although in many cases this still leaves a range of issues and questions unanswered. NHS workers Doctors, nurses and paramedics whose visas are due to expire before 1st October 2020 will have their visas automatically extended for one …
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Casual Workers – are charities allowed to make discretionary payments?

Charities have had to made the tough decision in the current climate to cease engaging the services of some or all of their casual workers Some of the charity staff may be regular and longstanding members of staff (albeit without the level of legal protection enjoyed by the organisation’s employees). The charity may wish to …
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The coronavirus and its impact on the workplace: Victoria Cook offers guidance on how employers can respond

Following the coronavirus outbreak, employers are exploring ways in which they can prepare to meet the challenges likely to emerge over the coming weeks. Here, Victoria Cook provides a concise summary of how employers can respond to this ongoing issue. As an employer, you have a duty to take steps that are reasonably necessary to …
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Victoria Cook speaks to People Management on how HR teams can prepare for impact of coronavirus on their workplace

Victoria Cook, Senior Associate in Bates Wells’ employment team, has provided commentary to People Management on what employers can do to put themselves in the best position to deal with coronavirus’ impact on the workplace. With many employers now tempted to take far-reaching decisions in light of the virus’ spread, Victoria explains how important it …
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Charity & Social Enterprise Update | Spring 2020

In the Spring issue of our Charity & Social Enterprise Update: If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this Update, please contact our Charity team.
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IR35 – The thorny issues

On 6 April 2020 new legislation is expected to come into force, which will radically alter how organisations currently pay their contractors.  Many contractors work through an intermediary, such as a Personal Service Company.  Currently, it is up to the PSC to deduct appropriate PAYE and National Insurance Contributions when paying the contractor. As of …
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Some clarity on post-Brexit immigration at last!

After three and a half years of uncertainty following the Brexit referendum, the government has announced exactly how it plans to begin reforming the UK immigration system for a world after free movement. These form the initial stage of a “multi-year programme of change” with much yet to be decided or announced, but what do …
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Chetal Patel comments on new government immigration system featured by charity and employment trade press

In the wake of yesterday’s Home Office announcement confirming the precise details of the government’s new points-based system, comments from Chetal Patel have now been covered by leading charity and employment trade publications Third Sector and People Management. Speaking to the Third Sector editorial team, Chetal highlighted what the reforms mean for charities, noting that …
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Government reveals new points-based immigration system: leading immigration lawyer comments on changes

Chetal Patel, Partner in our Immigration team, has commented on the latest government announcement on forthcoming changes to the UK’s immigration system. The new immigration framework, inspired by the Australian points-based system, will fundamentally change the current immigration arrangements, with UK borders soon to be completely closed to non-skilled workers. Responding to today’s announcement, Chetal …
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ICO consults on the processing of criminal data

The law on criminal convictions data – a complex area Prior to the GDPR, personal data relating to criminal convictions in the UK was treated as ‘sensitive personal data’ and subject to the same regime as, for example, health data or data relating to ethnicity. That wasn’t always the case across the EU as a …
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New rules introduced for Schengen Visas

Earlier this month, the EU introduced new rules on short stay visit or ‘Schengen’ visas. The changes apply to travellers from all countries which need visas to travel to the EU. This does not include British citizens but will apply to many non-EEA nationals living in the UK who wish to visit any of the …
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