It is reported in this week’s news that the number of High Street shops fell sharply last year after many more stores closed than opened. The Local Data Company, which based its analysis on the top 500 UK town centres, said a net total of 987 high street shops disappeared in 2014, almost three times…
There are a number of interesting changes affecting employment law which come into force over the next couple of months. These have far reaching consequences for employers and employees alike. Already, the changes in the law and the introduction of fees has seen a 76% drop in cases going to the employment tribunal. The current…
What is “flexible working”? Flexible working is a term used to describe any working arrangement that is outside an employee’s normal pattern of work. A request for flexible working can include a request to change the days or hours worked, the times of work, or even the place of work (such as a request to…
It is devastating for an employer to discover that a trusted employee with years of loyal service has had their ‘fingers in the till’ for some time. It’s not only the financial loss that you may have incurred, it’s also the total betrayal from someone whose work and support you have relied on and believed…
A ground breaking ruling at an Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in the case of Bear Scotland v Fulton (and conjoined cases) has meant an additional burden to employers, who may now have to take into consideration any overtime their workforce have carried out when calculating their paid holiday leave. Until this ruling, only basic pay…
For many people who are used to managing their lives and being independent, as they get older they often don’t realise the importance of ensuring that their finances are taken care of should they start to lose their mental capacity and independence. There may come a time when it becomes impossible for an older person…
As the inquest into the tragic death of nine month old Millie Thompson has begun, her bereaved parents, who are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their adored and beautiful baby daughter, have expressed their relief that new laws may now come into force as a consequence of Millie choking to…
Although there is a lot of information out there about protecting your hard earned assets when you are alive, it is surprising that so little publicity is given to the importance of making a Will so that your assets are distributed according to your wishes when you die. Leading local law firm Pictons, which also…
Do you ever think about what would happen if you were no longer able to handle your affairs? If you’re the one who always makes the financial decisions and pays the bills you may not realise that you could leave your family in dire straits if you become incapacitated in any way that will prevent…
Pictons is supporting The Ministry of Justice’s recently launched campaign, aimed at people from 25 to 50, to encourage them to make a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Posters include a picture of a rugby scrum with the headline ‘Accidents happen’ and another states that ‘You think it will never happen to you’ with…