A breakfast seminar was held recently at the Radisson Blu Hotel by the Jersey Construction Council. The objective was to provide employers with up-to-the-minute advice on how best to protect their business through an understanding of recent and coming changes to the Employment Law.
The event, sponsored by Mourant Ozannes, was presided over by an expert panel from the industry which included Helen Ruelle, partner at Mourant Ozannes, Patricia Rowan of Jersey Advisory Conciliation Service (JACS) and Malcolm Ferey, of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
The panel emphasised that employers need to be able to respond to changes in law coming into effect this year. These changes include family-friendly laws on adoption rights and the expansion of the Discrimination Law this September to afford protection on the grounds of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity.
Protection against discrimination on the grounds of age and disability will follow in the coming years.
‘It’s been a slow burner,’ said Mr Ferey. ‘The law was initially designed for race discrimination as the framework and the umbrella law, so these new protected characteristics will move the legislation on to be more fit for purpose and closer to the Equality Act in the UK.’
Contemporary issues were tabled, including maternity leave, social media, termination of contracts, confidentiality and the importance of employers’ providing flexibility to their employees by judging each case on its merits.
Another new law coming into effect this year is an entitlement to request flexibility from one’s employer. The aim of this law is to accommodate special requests for changes in work patterns or locations, which is particularly relevant in the modern workplace where employees can gain remote access to their work through the internet.
‘The first question an employer should ask,’ said Patricia Rowan of JACS, ‘is, how do the requirements of the business fit that request and how does it impact on work structure? You can refuse a request on business grounds, so the best approach for an employer is to think about the needs of the business.’
Ms Rowan also underlined the importance of understanding the processes. ‘Employers can be daunted by imagined red tape, but it’s not a terrifying prospect to manage the employment relationship,’ she said. ‘A robust understanding will help businesses to cut through red tape immediately.’
Helen Ruelle echoed this comment by saying: ‘The Employment Law says that the tribunal has to take into account the administrative resources of a business. There are different expectations of a large firm with an HR department than there are for a sole trader.’
The qualifying period to claim unfair dismissal was extended to one year at the beginning of January.
Mr Ferey argued that many workplace conflicts could be resolved by open dialogue. ‘We are often asked what a person’s employer will or will not do in certain situations. We ask them if they have spoken to their employer. It’s amazing how many people don’t have that conversation.’
Ms Ruelle gave a convincing rationale for effective employment relationships by concluding: ‘A happy and harmonious workforce is better for the bottom line for a business and has a direct impact on profitability’.
Martin Holmes, chairman of the Jersey Construction Council, said: ‘The JeCC winter seminar series is a popular fixture in the business calendar because it centres on topical issues that have an impact on employers.
‘Leading figures from a range of industries receive expert advice on best practice in their workplace and the opportunity to have their questions answered. Long may it continue to inform, educate and interest all those who attend.’
Luxury hotel celebrates St Patrick’s Day
LONGUEVILLE Manor are commemorating St Patrick’s Day in style this year with a week of celebrations.
Owner Malcolm Lewis, director Pedro Bento and executive head chef Andrew Baird are all married to Irish ladies, which prompted them to decide to do something special.
As a result, Irish-themed lunch and dinner menus have been put together by Mr Baird and will be served every day until Friday. Additionally, a special selection of Irish cheeses and whiskies will be available for tasting this evening.
‘We are also using special green filters on our floodlights to bask the manor in a suitably Irish hue,’ said Mr Lewis. ‘We had a few trial runs at the weekend and it looks great.’
In addition to celebrating St Patrick’s Day, the three men are also marking their 25th year of working together.
‘With me it’s family,’ said Jersey-born Mr Lewis. ‘My parents first opened Longueville in July 1949. Pedro, however, first came to Jersey in 1990. He was initially working as a waiter and I soon identified him as someone with considerable talent.
‘He quickly climbed up the rungs to become managing director of the business.’
Sheffield-born chef Mr Baird, meanwhile, moved to Jersey in 1988, having learned his craft at Sheffield College, and was soon in charge of Longueville Manor’s food operation.
‘We were originally going to begin celebrating our business milestone in the summer,’ added Malcolm, ‘but then Pedro’s wife, Jan, suggested we start the celebrations this week to celebrate our Irish links.’
‘Anyone is welcome to come and join us, residents and visitors alike. It’s sure to be a good craic!’
LA trip for beauticians to meet celebrity therapist
TWO beauty professionals travelled to Los Angeles last week, having won an all-expenses-paid trip to meet celebrity skin therapist Dr Howard Munad.
Marie Booth and Annette Morgan, of the Luminis salon at Red Houses, won the trip after the Jersey branch outperformed nine UK salons in their franchise.
Dr Munad nominated outlets throughout the world which have performed well in selling his products to take part in the trip.
