Issue 701

The consulting room

The government has issued two consultation documents dealing with terms in employment contracts as a result of the impact that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on employment levels (...).

Periods of employment

Prior to April 2020, the law required employers to provide employees with a statement of terms and conditions within two months of starting their employment. In Iqbal (t/a Smokin’ Rooster) v Singh, the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that employers can be penalised for a period of employment lasting less than two months, if a successful claim had been brought against them (...).

Ultimate control

In order to decide whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor, tribunals have to consider the degree of control that the employer has over the individual, among other things. In Bannerman v Euroscot Engineering Ltd, the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that the claimant was not an employee because he could not show that the company had ultimate control over him (...).