Features

Sharp rise in pay deals (244 words)

The latest figures from the Labour Research Department's PayLine database show a sharp upward movement with the three-monthly median to May up to 3.5% ...

Labour Research Department three monthly pay figures (219 words)

Percentage increases on lowest basic rates (by agreements covered) ...

Other pay analysts (30 words)

Confederation of British Industry (manufacturing) (three months to Jan. 2003) 2.7% ...

Average earnings indices (154 words)

Feb 02 (r) 133.9 3.1 2.6 3.1 2.9 4.8 ...

Latest figures for full-time weekly average earnings (31 words)

all workers £464.10 ...

Inflation forecasts (30 words)

RPI forecasts (and underlying inflation- excluding mortgage interest payments) 4th quarter 2003 ...

Prices (57 words)

April 02 175.7 1.5 2.3 ...

Firefighters get new formula in pay deal (292 words)

Following the long-running dispute in the fire service a settlement has finally been agreed between the FBU firefighters' union and the local government employers. ...

Survey shows fall in sickness absence (276 words)

The latest sickness absence survey from the CBI employers' organisation shows on average employees took just under seven days of sick leave in 2002. ...

Opting out hasn't solved council staffing problems (329 words)

Local authorities opting out of the national NJC pay and conditions agreement have not solved their problems of recruitment and retention, according to a ...

Marks and Spencer plans to cut premium pay (271 words)

High street retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) is to cut premium pay, and bank holiday and Sunday working rates. ...

Partnership initiatives reach limited audience (316 words)

A government initiative to promote partnership at work has found it difficult to reach out to new audiences, according to a research report published ...

Government plans should deliver greater pension security (559 words)

Earlier this month the government published proposals to provide greater protection for workers' occupational pension rights. ...

Unions vote on action over final-salary pensions (284 words)

Several unions have been balloting for strike action to defend their pension schemes over the past month. ...

Report says NHS staff still face long hours culture (271 words)

Despite progress on flexible working in the NHS, a new report finds that there is still more to be done to ensure that employees ...

Universities fail to tackle large gender pay gap (268 words)

The gender pay gap in universities has not decreased in the last year, despite universities agreeing to take measures to address equal pay. ...

Commission hopes for better state pension provision (265 words)

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has welcomed the government's commitment to investigate how women could get better pension entitlement by extending national insurance contributions ...

Women airport workers can wear trousers (95 words)

A campaign by the GMB general union to allow women working for contractor Ground Star at Stansted Airport to wear trousers has been successful. ...

Communications union celebrates key recognition deal at Telewest (604 words)

The CWU communication workers' union is on the point of gaining statutory recognition at one of Britain's leading TV and telecoms companies, thanks to ...

TUC calls for greater role for unions in skills strategy (263 words)

The TUC has published its response to the government's consultation on a national skills strategy. ...

German steel unions make progress on 35-hour week (246 words)

Steelworkers in East Germany are to move to a 35-hour week, but as yet there is no agreement on cuts in hours for other ...

Dutch postal workers to get bonus if they cut sickness absence rates (240 words)

Last month TPG, the Dutch post office and largest private sector employer in the Netherlands agreed a 2.5% pay increase for its 68,000 employees. ...

Paper firm signs new works council agreement (454 words)

A new European works council agreement was signed earlier this month at the paper company ArjoWiggins which significantly improves the position of the employee ...

Contract law (507 words)

Among this month's contract law developments some of the key cases focus on the employment relationship, discretionary terms, mutuality of obligations and breaches of ...

Employment status and relationship (511 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Contract terms (761 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Breach of contract (415 words)

Case 11: The facts ...

Transfer law (436 words)

In this month's TUPE developments some of the key cases focus on whether a transfer takes place even without the transfer of major assets; ...

Relevant transfer (1116 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Protected terms and conditions (216 words)

Case 8: The facts ...

Employer liability (128 words)

Case 10:The facts ...

Length of TUPE protection (105 words)

Case 11: The facts ...

Union wins key case on breaks for security guards (245 words)

All security guards are entitled to rest breaks and the security industry is not exempt from the Working Time Regulations, an employment tribunal ruled ...

Few directors face health and safety prosecutions (278 words)

Only 15 company bosses have been convicted of health and safety offences in the last four years and none were sent to prison, new ...

Court tells insurers to pay asbestos victims (92 words)

Asbestos victims suing engineering group Turner and Newall for compensation made an important breakthrough in the High Court in May. Insurance company Royal and ...

Advice on water coolers and drinks machines (170 words)

Public services union UNISON has produced a briefing on the health risks of water coolers and drinks machines. ...

"Pathetic" campaign fails to tackle pub smoke risks (90 words)

Less than half the country's pubs and bars are complying with a voluntary code on smoking, according to an independent report, commissioned by the ...

Legionnaires' guidance (102 words)

The HSE has published new Legionnaires' guidance. The leaflet Legionnaires' disease - essential information for providers of residential accommodation, contains advice for those responsible ...

New leaflets (53 words)

The following revised free leaflets are now available on the HSE website or from HSE Books. ...

New web portals (22 words)

* COSHH - www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm ...

Guide should help cleaners avoid backaches and strains (159 words)

The HSE has published guidance on helping cleaners avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). ...

Mesothelioma statistics (117 words)

Shocking new figures from the HSE show the terrible human cost of exposure to asbestos. The latest statistics show that between 1980 and 2000, ...

HSE report Potters Bar derailment (94 words)

The HSE published a further progress report into the Potters Bar derailment in May. The derailment on 10 May 2002 claimed seven lives and ...

Accident book (61 words)

The HSE launched a new accident book in May. The Accident Book (BI510), has been revised because most existing versions allow personal details and ...

Ammonium Nitrate (40 words)

The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003 (SI 1082) came into force in May. They prohibit the manufacturing, importing, supplying, or ...

Current consultations (46 words)

* Proposals for new Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations -consultation ends 2 September 2003 ...

Preventing falls from height (168 words)

The HSE has launched a "Don't fall for it" campaign to highlight the danger from falls from height on construction sites. ...

Recruitment and retention problems push up drivers' pay (3010 words)

Summary ...

Employers are failing to rise to childcare challenge (1912 words)

June is national childcare month - run by childcare charities and backed by the government - it provides a focus for childcare campaigners to ...