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…

Ware & Kay Welcomes New Commercial Property Specialist

Ware & Kay Solicitors are delighted to announce that Charles Docherty has joined their rapidly expanding Commercial department as a Commercial Property Solicitor.  His appointment complements an already successful and highly experienced team which is able to advise on every aspect of commercial property. Charles will specialise in a wide range of commercial property matters.  This will include acting for clients who wish to buy and sell commercial properties and businesses, acting for landlords and tenants in the grant or renewal of leases and assisting with transactions involving the development of land or properties. Charles arrives at Ware & Kay with over 12 years experience in Commercial Property Law.  He studied at Sheffield University before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2003 and starting his career in London.  Charles has extensive experience and is extremely well-regarded…

Laura Schofield Joins Ware & Kay Wills Probate Team

Growing law firm Ware & Kay Solicitors is adding to its team with the appointment of Laura Schofield at its Wetherby office, to assist the elderly and infirm in the management of their estates. Laura, an experienced solicitor, will specifically focus on Wills and the administration of estates including overseeing the financial affairs of the infirm and elderly clients, while advising on the inheritance tax implications based on individual circumstances. Laura will help clients to protect against the difficulties that arise in dealing with finances or personal decisions if mental capacity is lost, by preparing a lasting power of attorney. She is also highly experienced with Court of Protection proceedings and deputyship applications. Following the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University, Laura gained valuable experience and knowledge working in Wills and Probate Departments at two practices in York…

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…

Martin House Make A Will During May 2017

Leave your legacy to help us continue ours. If, like many other people you have been putting off writing your Will, this is your chance to put that right. Ware & Kay Solicitors has teamed up with Martin House to give you the opportunity to have your basic Will written for just £60 or £110 (inc. VAT) for a pair of basic matching (mirror) Wills - a considerable discount on their usual price. Legacies are vitally important to Martin House . In fact, they make up more than a quarter of our entire voluntary income, meaning the cost of caring for one in four of our children is covered by gifts left in Wills. Over half of UK adults have not made a Will. It's not always easy to think about what might happen…

St Leonard`s Hospice Make A Will Week

Making a Will and letting your family and friends know your wishes are vital, and it can be a lot more affordable and straightforward than you think... MAKE A WILL WEEK 8-14 MAY A Will is one of the most important documents you will ever have drawn up, but it's something that many people put off. If YOU don't have a Will, or your Will needs updating.  Ware & Kay Solicitors has once again teamed up with St Leonard's Hospice to give you the opportunity to have your Will written free of charge in exchange for a donation to the Hospice. Making a Will allows you to make things easier for those you leave behind, as well as ensuring your wishes are clear if you choose to leave a gift to a charity.  The legacies…

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…

York Against Cancer Charity Go Karting Challenge

Friday, 17 March 2017 Holly Stevens, Owen Thomas, Nick Wardle and Andrew Little did a magnificent job supporting York Against Cancer in the Go-Karting Challenge. The whole event raised approximately £5,000.  York Against Cancer are celebrating their 30th year and all funds raised are being directed to two big projects. The money raised from the evening will go towards a mobile chemotherapy unit which will go out to all the smaller towns such as Malton, Selby and as a far as Scarborough.

Employment Law Changes Taking Place From April 2017

Employment law is a fast-changing area and as an employer you need to stay up to date with developments to ensure that you are acting lawfully.  Most employment law changes take place in April and October each year.  Gillian Reid, Head of Employment at Ware & Kay Solicitors in York, Wetherby & Malton , looks at what is happening in April 2017 and what you need to do. National minimum wage and national living wage aligned The review date for the national minimum wage has moved to 1 April 2017 instead of 1 October 2017. This means that the next round of changes to the national minimum wage and national living wage will take effect on 1 April 2017: From this date: the national living wage for workers aged 25 and over will increase…