Performance Management

Getting the best out of employees is one of the biggest challenges faced by managers.  Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York  Wetherby & Malton, looks at what managers can do to manage performance and, if necessary, how to dismiss an underperforming employee. Poor performance can include lack of productivity or slowness, inflexibility, a breakdown in working relationships with colleagues or customers, a failure to reach targets, customer complaints, and negligence or mistakes.  Ignoring these issues risks undermining the manager's position and demotivating other staff, whereas dealing with them can increase both productivity and staff engagement. Managing performance on a day-to-day basis It is far better to deal with problems as they arise, rather than waiting for them to become a major issue.  Performance should be kept under review throughout the…

Covert Surveillance Of Employees

The issue of privacy has rarely been out of the news in the last few years, as a result of the phone-hacking scandal and revelations of secret mass surveillance of individuals by national intelligence agencies. As an employer, keeping an eye on your staff is vital but you must also stay on the right side of the law.  Gillian Reid, Head of Employment at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton , advises how employers can monitor staff without infringing their rights to privacy. Examples of covert surveillance There are many reasons why you may wish to monitor staff, such as to prevent theft or fraud, reduce the use of workplace equipment and time for personal purposes, cut down on non-genuine absence, monitor the quality of customer service and gather evidence for possible disciplinary…

Probate Fees Set To Rise

LATEST NEWS: Death taxes are rules unlawful Click on the following link to view the article: Death taxes are ruled unlawful By Frances Gibb, Legal Editor, The Times A decision has been made by the Government to change the probate applications fee structure commencing in May 2017. The purpose of the fee increase is to raise funds of approximately £300m which will be invested directly into Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to streamline its efficiently, and ultimately, deliver a better service to the public and professionals. However this is not necessarily for the Probate Registry which is largely self funding from the fees it receives. Currently probate court fees are as follow: £155 (application through a solicitor) or £215 (personal application)   In comparison, the proposed new fees are eye-watering…

Managing Mental Health Issues At Work

One in four people will experience symptoms of mental ill health during their lives.  According to the Chief Medical Officer for England, 70 million working days are lost in the UK every year due to stress, depression and other mental health conditions.  It is estimated that this costs the UK economy between £30 billion to £100 billion per year. Gillian Reid, Head of Employment at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton , looks at what managers can do to help employees and advises how to avoid discrimination claims from employees with mental health issues. What is mental health? Mental health is the mental and emotional state in which we feel able to cope with the normal stresses of everyday life.  Mental ill health can range from feeling 'a bit down' to severe mental…