Author

Lesley Furber

HR Consultant

Bio

Lesley Furber is CIPD qualified and has spent over 30 years in the Human Resources industry, working mostly at TV Companies, including the BBC.

After leaving the BBC in 2006, Lesley started her own HR Consultancy service, The HR Kiosk. Lesley offers detailed advice on employment law and HR issues to her clients, who are mostly from the UK creative industries.

In 2006, Lesley started managing ‘Workline’ - then a free employment advice service for those working in the UK’s film and TV industries. In 2009, Workline’s remit broadened to all industry sectors and its website moved to the Crunch website, where Lesley continues to offer free advice on important UK employment law matters.

Workline was nominated as a Finalist in the Best Employment Advice Website category at the National Online Recruitment Awards 2013.

Accreditations & Qualifications

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualified

Articles, Knowledge and Guides

Posts by Lesley Furber

Workplace Sexual Harassment – new laws from 26th October 2024

New workplace sexual harassment law is due to be implemented from October 26th 2024, click to find more about this update.

Predictable terms and conditions Regulations are NOT coming in 2024

Explore the implications of the UK's new Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 on employment contracts, worker rights, and employer responsibilities. Stay updated.

Short-time working and lay-offs (information for employees)

We look at alternative options for employers, instead of changing terms of their employee's contracts or making redundancies.

Everything you need to know about incentivising staff with a bonus scheme

A good, fair and well-designed bonus scheme can be a perfect way to increase your staff’s productivity and so your bottom line.

Immigration Guide - How to recruit from outside the UK from 2021

From 1 January 2021, all non-British/Irish nationals will require a valid immigration status/visa to live, work, and study in the UK.

Second job tax: How to pay tax on a second job

Are you considering a second job? This article from accountancy experts Crunch explains how much tax you’ll have to pay and how you need to pay it.

Hybrid working – how employers can make it work!

The practical, managerial, and psychological considerations of hybrid working.

How your employment can come to an end - for employees

There are various ways your Employment can come to and - but if you are an Employee you have the right not to be unfairly dismissed.

How to calculate holiday pay when staff receive overtime and commission payments

Holiday pay should now include payments for regular overtime and regular commission. We look at how to calculate your or your employee's holiday pay.

Hours and rest breaks for UK goods vehicle drivers - Part 2

There are different rules for drivers depending on what they drive. All the rules here apply to vehicles that are used for the ‘carriage of goods by road’.

Hours and rest breaks for UK goods vehicle drivers - Part 1

What are the EU Driver's Hours Rules and how will they affect small businesses? We take a look at the exemptions, the rules and the duties involved.

Holiday entitlement and sick leave - some clarity?

There has been plenty of confusion surrounding how workers holiday entitlements react with sickness absence. Here's what we know.|There has been plenty of confusion surrounding how workers holiday entitlements react with sickness absence. Here's what we know.

HMRC investigates gig economy and use of self-employed workers

HMRC is now launching an investigation into compliance by companies providing the correct employment rights, status, and benefits to their workers.

Health & safety law changes: how the self-employed are affected

Legislation called the Deregulation Bill becomes law on 1st October and will impact self-employed workers and contractors.

Grievance Procedures

What can freelancers do if they raise a grievance against a client? We explore the ways to solve these problems when there isn't much protection for you.

Guidance for employees retiring (after 2011)

In 2011, the Statutory Default Retirement Age of 65 years was removed. We look at what this means for employees nearing retirement.

For what reasons can I be made redundant?

If your employer is considering redundancies, in what situations can they do this?

Fixed Term Contracts: what are they & how can they come to an end?

Fixed Term Contracts have always been popular with employers as a way to fill a 'gap' for a temporary period, but we also know they can be abused.

Equal Opportunities and Discrimination (Equality Act 2010)

We take a look the Equality Act and how this must be implemented at work, what this means for small businesses, and why it's important.

Employment Tribunals – your rights

Tribunals heart employment disputes that haven't been resolved in the work place. We take a look at them and what your rights are.

Employment Law in the United Kingdom - what differences are there?

There is very little difference in employment law between England and Wales, some differences in Scotland but important differences in Northern Ireland.

Employing school leavers - a change in the law

From the start of the 2013/14 Academic year the Government changed the law on how long young people are required to stay in education or training.

Should employers fear the office Christmas party? Staff misconduct outside the workplace

Your Christmas Party is normally pretty lively and good fun, but employers need to consider various factors beforehand, so there are no problems.

How to deal with an ACAS conciliation request

If an employee or ex-employee has a potential employment tribunal, they may be advised the contact ACAS first. We take a look at the process.

Sending employees & contractors abroad on business: What employers need to consider

If you secure overseas business, what do you need to consider when sending your contractors, your employees, or even just yourself abroad?

Disciplinary procedures: 13 common mistakes made by employers

Some dismissals can be fair if the employer follows their disciplinary procedures correctly, but some dismissals are automatically unfair.

Flexible working and the right to request time off for training

From June 30th 2014, all employees will have the right to request flexible working if they have 26 weeks service. How will this affect small businesses?

Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedures - for Employees

All employers are required by law to have written disciplinary and dismissal procedures for employees and you must have access to this.

Disability Discrimination – what makes a worker disabled under the Equality Act 2010?

When considering if a worker is disabled or not, employers must consider the impact of any impairment on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Direct Earnings Attachment - what micro-businesses should know

Direct Earnings Attachment policy gives the Department for Work and Pensions the power to ask you to deduct money from an employee. What can you do?

Custom and practice, and employment contract terms (implied and express terms)

What happens if your employment terms have changed without your consent? We take a look at the 'Custom and Practice' terms and what they mean for you.

What are your rights if a client cancels your contract?

Freelancers and contractors will generally have no legal right to reinstatement if their Client terminates or chooses not to renew their contract.

Continuity of Service - for employees and workers

We take a close look at Continuity of Service employment legislation and what this might mean for you as an employee or worker.

How to check a person's legal right to work in the UK (and the impact of Brexit)

We look in detail at all the points you need to consider and the documents you need when employing staff, casual workers and freelancers / contractors.

Care workers - what are your rights at work?

Lesley of the HR Kiosk provides advice for care workers who are unsure of their rights. Have an employment question? Leave a comment.|Lesley of the HR Kiosk provides advice for care workers who are unsure of their rights. Have an employment question? Leave a comment.|Lesley of the HR Kiosk provides advice for care workers who are unsure of their rights. Have an employment question? Leave a comment.

Can disciplinary or grievance meetings be audio or video recorded?

Neither an employee, nor an employer, has the right to record a meeting – unless both parties agree to the recording. Read more here.

Can an agency worker ever become permanent at the company they work for?

There is nothing in agency workers legislation that prevents employers from choosing permanent staff over agency workers for job vacancies

Can a limited company contractor be in scope of the Agency Workers Regulations?

Although many commentators believe that the AWR were not intended to apply to ‘professionals’ with their own limited companies it is certainly possible.

The Bribery Act 2010 – honesty is the best policy

In 2011 it became a criminal offence for an individual or organisation to offer or receive a bribe – and conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Antenatal care for pregnant parents and adopters

All pregnant employees have a legal right to time off with pay to keep appointments for antenatal care, made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, midwife or health visitor.

An animal is for life, but can you take them to work?

There are laws that employers need to be aware of when it comes to animals in the work place. In this article, we discover the different types of animals in the workplace and the regulations surrounding them.

Am I an employee, self-employed, or a worker?

It might sound simple, but being self-employed can lead you to this question when you are working with clients. It's important to understand, so we explore.

Adoption Leave and Pay

Adoption Leave is split into two types – Ordinary and Additional. This guide will help you understand the difference and which might apply when you adopt.

What happens if I'm injured at a client's premises? Laws on lone-working explained

What can freelancers and contractors do if they are injured during their job at a client's premises? We explore the legislation.

Your employer is making you redundant but has offered you another job – must you accept it?

Your job is at risk of redundancy, and your employer has offered you redeployment to another job in the same company. Are you obliged to take it?

Written Statements, contracts, and changing terms in your contract

If the change to your contract of employment is forced on you without agreement, you may be able to make a claim at Employment Tribunal.

Whistle-blowing & the Public Interest Disclosure Act

Employees and Workers can complain to an Employment Tribunal if they are dismissed or victimised at work in any way for making such a disclosure.

Workplace surveillance: can your employer spy on you at work?

How likely is it that your employer or client will be keeping an eye on you? In the eyes of the law, can your employer spy on you at work?

Working time regulations - working hours, rest breaks and holiday entitlements guide

There are a whole host of regulations and laws in place to protect workers from being exploited in regards to working hours, break and holiday.

Without Prejudice' rules explained (and how they relate to Settlement Agreements)

These rules are used by an employer when they and an employee have a dispute in their working relationship which they are trying to resolve it amicably.

Who can have self-employed status in the film, television and production industries?

A comprehensive guide to Service Companies and VAT for people working in the entertainment industry.

What is a contractor?

A Contractor provides services to a specific client under specific terms. Here's what defines a contractor, and what rights you have when working as one.

What does the Modern Slavery Bill mean for businesses?

How the Government expects organisations to develop a credible and accurate slavery and human trafficking statement, and what must be disclosed.

Zero-hour contracts employee rights - can casual workers ever become employees?

Our advice on zero-hour contracts employee rights, including working hours, rest breaks & holiday entitlements has been updated for 2017. Read now!

What are my main employment rights as an employee, worker or freelancer?

Whether you're a freelancer, contractor or employee, you're still protected to a variety of workers rights. Our guide explores the law around this.

Volunteering – do something meaningful with your spare time

Anyone can volunteer - Employees, Freelancers and Contractors too. All types of organisations in (and outside of) the UK regularly need volunteers, and you can provide much-needed specialised skills.

Should you let staff and freelancers smoke e-cigarettes at work?

Employers should have clear rules about smoking in the workplace but does current legislation cover e-cigarettes and does this need reassessing?

Uber worker Supreme Court decision February 2021 – the details

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers were workers, not self-employed. But what does this ruling mean, and how did we get here?

Trust and confidence - what does it really mean and what happens when it breaks down?

We take a close look at terms within contracts of employment, most specifically Trust and Confidence, and what this means for small businesses?

Travel from home straight to a customer? The rules have changed

Don't have a fixed place of work and travel directly to clients? The ECJ decided in September 2015 that travel time counts as working time. We take a look.

Time off for dependants – Family emergencies; Carers leave; Parental Bereavement Law, and Neonatal care leave (expected)

Did you know that in many circumstances employees now have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on them?

Third-party harassment provisions in the Equality Act repealed

Changes within the 2010 Equality Act now see employers being liable for harassment of their workers by third parties. We explore the new regulations.

The Swedish Derogation Model – what is it?

The Swedish Derogation is being mentioned a lot by Umbrella Companies. What does it mean?

The Minimum Wage, overtime, equal pay and unpaid work experience

Anyone who is defined as a 'worker' is entitled to a selection of workers rights. We look at the minim wage, overtime, equal pay and unpaid experience.

The conduct of employment agencies and employment businesses regulations 2003

It’s a long title, but these Regulations are important for Limited Company Contractors (or Personal Service Companies) and agency temps.

Taking on an apprentice - the full details

Apprenticeship schemes are often in the news (and not always for the right reasons), so here's what they're about & where you can find out more about them.

What are the rules and regulations for Sunday working?

Once upon a time, Sunday's were the quietest day of the week, but now many people are working on the seventh day. We look at your rights on Sunday working.

Staff misconduct in the workplace – personality conflicts, ‘sickies’, drugs, alcohol and third-party requests to dismiss

Staff misconduct in the workplace can be a tricky problem to handle. It could result in lost jobs, unhappy staff or lower team morale.

Social networking and work - can they go together?

Social media is increasingly being used by companies as well to share information and network with colleagues, the public- and this can also cause problems.

Small businesses and contractors – all you need to know about lone working

An estimated 22% of the UK’s working population are lone working, so employers and contractors need to consider if this is an issue for them.

Sleeping on the job: Finally, clarity about pay

To examine the latest position on whether you should be paid for sleeping at work, we'll look at the most important, and recent, tribunal cases.

Small business owners – a guide to what documents you need when employing staff

If you've decided to take on staff for the first time, you'll need to be aware of several types of documentation you'll need. We take a look.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), sickness and fit notes

Unable to work? You are entitled to sick pay from your employer if you meet the qualifying conditions, which are as follows.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) explained

Parents can share up to 50 of 52 weeks statutory maternity leave and 37 of 39 weeks statutory maternity pay, we'll explain shared parental leave and pay

RIDDOR changes from 1st October 2013

What changes have been made to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations and what you need to know.

Everything you need to know about professional references (part 2)

Our second installment on professional references covers employer obligations and data protection practices. Read more here.

Everything you need to know about professional references (part 1)

In part one of our look at personal references, we explore the reasons why employer's like to have references and what this means for workers.

Guide to redundancy and statutory redundancy pay

Being made redundant isn't a pleasant experience for anyone, so what happens next? Are you entitled to any redundancy pay? We take a look.

Guide to pay, wages, pay cuts, 'unauthorised deductions', payslips and overtime

We explore your pay and wages, cuts to pay, unauthorised deductions', payslips and overtime to give you the low-down and how it might affect you.

Probationary period myths busted

If your Employer does not follow a disciplinary procedure to dismiss you, & a disciplinary procedure is contractual, they may be in breach of contract.

What is Parental Leave?

Parental leave is a right for parents who are employees to take time off work to look after a child or make arrangements for the child’s welfare.

Paternity Leave and Pay

Following the birth of a child or an adoption placement, fathers, spouses and partners/civil partners who are employees have a right to paternity leave.

Part-time workers rights

Did you know that part-time employees and workers have the same employment rights as full-time employees (and workers)? We take a close look.

What is the Trade Union Bill (2016)?

Over the last year, the Trade Union bill has been progressing through Parliament. We look at where it currently stands and what changes are being proposed.

Office sweepstakes – do you know the rules?

Just about any event can bring on the need for office sweepstakes. But it's best to take a few minutes to make sure your company isn’t breaking the law.

Confidential pre-termination negotiations and Settlement Agreements

If relationships with those working for you, or those you're working for, aren't going well, you may need to know more about pre-termination negotiations.

Guide to Maternity Leave and pay

When you decide to have a baby, you'll be entitled to some working-benefits, depending on the type of work you do. We take a look at maternity leave and pay

Gender, ethnicity, and executive pay gaps and gender pay gap reporting

In 2015, the Equality Act 2010 was amended to require employers to reveal details of their gender pay gap. What what this mean for business?

Maternity Leave and pay chart

We've recently updated our charts for 2018 for the amounts of maternity leave and pay people are entitled to. We advise you on where you stand.

Locum Doctors and Dentists – what is your employment status?

For Locum doctors, it's important to know whether you are employee, a worker, or someone who is self-employed? We explore the differences.

Locum contracts and agreements for Doctors and Dentists – what should they contain?

In our first article for Locums we looked at the crucial element of employment ‘status’ - how you know what status you have?

Limited company contractors not always protected under Equality Act

A recent case has shown that the Equality Act 2010 does not always cover those working through a Limited Liability Company.

Large scale dismissals – are they legal?

We looked at what happened on the 17th of March 2022, when P&O Ferries sacked nearly 800 UK employees, without, so far, serious consequences for the company.

Do I have to do jury service?

The simple answer, is yes – jury service is a public duty, and you must serve unless disqualified or excused by the judge, what grounds are there to defer?

I’ve been overpaid by work! What should I do?

Have you been overpaid at work or in self-employment? Find out what to do to stay ahead of rules and regulations with this guide by Crunch.

Internships – a good opportunity or a waste of time?

Internships and work experience placements can often get bad press, so we look at whether they are a beneficial experience for both Employers and the interns, or unethical exploitation! We also look at what they offer (and what they should offer!) in more detail.

Interrupted breaks can still count as rest under the Working Time Regulations

If your break at work is interrupted, are you entitled to compensation, or a longer break? Not according to the Working Time Regulations. We take a look.