FusionHR Blog

When is Notice of Dismissal Effective

Friday, 11 May 2018

Recent case guidance from Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust v Haywood gives further information about when a notice of dismissal is effective.

Is a failure to enhance Shared Parental Leave direct discrimination?

Friday, 11 May 2018

Many employers have enhanced maternity pay for female employees, but do not replicate this within shared parental leave – which can be taken by male employees. The EAT have determined that an employer’s decision not to pay enhanced shared parental leave to a male employee (in circumstances where it paid enhanced maternity leave to female employees) was not direct sex discrimination.

GDPR - The Countdown, Two Weeks to Go

Friday, 11 May 2018

Two weeks to go to GDPR, we look at our journey and what you should have in place

Mental Health Awareness Week 14-20 May 2018

Friday, 11 May 2018

The DfE have recently published updated research and analysis on supporting mental health in schools and colleges. One case study highlights a whole organisational approach to supporting mental health which encouraged and equipped staff to promote good mental health but was built upon clear team structures and defined roles and responsibilities.

Department for Education ‘Guidance on Searching, screening and confiscation’

Friday, 11 May 2018

The Department for Education updated its advice on searching, screening and confiscation in schools. Read about the main changes and guidance.

Sun Awareness Week 9-15 May

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

After what seems like a long winter, we are all more than ready for a bit of sunshine! National Sun Awareness Week is designed to highlight the dangers of over-exposure to the sun and promote safe behaviour. Read our tips on how to increase awareness and improve employee well-being

Managing employees with Diabetes

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Things to consider about managing employees with diabetes as new reports suggest that the number of people with diabetes is increasing.

Celebrating the new Prince – What are the statutory rights around Maternity Pay

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

In celebration of the birth of Prince Louis, we look at the rights surrounding maternity pay

GDPR Updates - New policies and terms

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Updates and support available for the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation on 25th May.

Temporary contracts – can I just finish them at the end of the academic year?

Friday, 20 April 2018

The most common reasons for a fixed-term contract is usually linked funding or maternity cover, although there are many reasons for having a fixed-term contract in place. However, there are certain actions you must do when considering terminating a fixed-term contract. Read our checklist.

Stress Prevention (Stress Awareness Month – April)

Friday, 20 April 2018

April is Stress Awareness Month and with the focus on teachers' workloads at the moment, it's important to monitor stress in your school or Trust. We look at what your next steps should be. We have also produced an updated risk assessment template and guidance on stress which includes some practical examples of working to prevent stress and advice on how to recognise and manage stress when it does occur.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work – 28th April

Friday, 20 April 2018

According to the HSE, 31.2 million working days were lost due to work related illness and workplace injury in 2016-17. With World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April we look at how you can ensure the safety and health of your employees and ensure attendance remains high.

Fusion News - New Model Documents on GDPR

Friday, 20 April 2018

We’ve been working hard over the Easter break and we’ve refreshed many of our document download templates which have now been uploaded to our document portal on our website. Our data protection templates have been updated in line with GDPR regulations.

Workforce Planning for Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

Friday, 20 April 2018

The Department for Education has recently updated it’s guidance for School Workforce Planning. As it explains all schools and Multi-Academy Trusts should be able to consider all options available to them to maximise the efficiency of staff and best utilise the budgets available. But what are the options and what should you consider?

Breaking News - 2018/2019 NJC Pay Scales and Allowances

Friday, 20 April 2018

Agreement has now been reached between the National Employers and the NJC Trade Union Sides on rates of pay applicable from 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019.

Support documents for Schools - HR best practice, employment templates and data security updated for GDPR

Friday, 20 April 2018

Do you need a suite of policies, template letters and proformas tailor-made for Education HR? We have developed an annual package which includes access to key documents relating to the employee cycle of pre-employment, during employment and leaving employment as well as data security model policies.

On-site Training for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

Friday, 20 April 2018

We are currently in the process of updating our on-site training brochure but in the meantime we thought it might be useful to highlight our top five most requested on-site courses

Statutory and National Living/Minimum Wage increases from April 2018

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

View the new amounts for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage that will apply from this month.

Failing to disclose personal relationships can lead to Gross Misconduct

Sunday, 18 March 2018

This week the Supreme Court ruled that the failure of a headteacher to disclose her personal relationship with a man with convictions could be classed as gross misconduct and therefore justified her dismissal. Read more about the case.

Company fined following unlicensed asbestos removal from primary school

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Ensuring you appoint the right contractors to carry out any maintenance work is essential but also very difficult. In a recent case, the HSE fined a construction company for the work they carried out at a primary school.

Disciplinary Procedure – Do’s and Don’ts!!

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Our HR Consultants here at Fusion, regularly support organisations with disciplinary matters and as such, they come across many of the common mistakes and pitfalls that can catch even the most well prepared of organisations out and potentially jeopardise the process. At best this can lead to delays, and reschedules, increasing stress for all involved and creating a bad impression. At worst, failure to follow a proper process may result in an employee bringing a grievance or unfair dismissal claim, resulting in more time, expense and reputational damage. We have outlined some of the common mistakes….and how to avoid them.

The GDPR Train keeps on moving forward!!

Sunday, 18 March 2018

If you are 'snowed under' with the GDPR train, then you may find it useful to read this blog from our Data Protection Officer, Ben with some top tips on where to start. We've been working through the basics and we wanted to share our approach with you - we hope it helps!

Kirsty and Jo’s marvellous GDPR journey…the bus has set off

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Follow Jo and Kirsty's journey as they embark on a certified GDPR training course and share their learnings with you

Updated rates and thresholds for employee benefits and expenses

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

HM Revenue and Customs has recently updated information about benefits and expenses for employers. They have updated the rates and thresholds for employers to apply when you operate payroll or provide expenses and benefits to your employees.

Unfair Dismissal of a Fixed Term Employee - Case Law Update

Friday, 9 February 2018

Recent case law has highlighted issues for employers when they terminate the employment of employees on fixed term contracts (particularly when they have been employed for two years or more).