The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has chosen to scrap the plans to repeal the Off-payroll IR35 Reforms, which Kwasi Kwarteng previously announced in his mini-budget on 23 September 2022 and which would have taken place in April 2023.

The Conservatives Growth plan indicated that repeal would free up time and money for businesses that engage contractors, that could be put towards other priorities, and that it would have also minimised the risk that genuinely self-employed workers are impacted by the underlying off-payroll rules. It was felt to be a sensible initiative and would have been a significant step forward for the UK’s army of self-employed people.

IR35 damages the flexibility of the UK labour market, which is key to economic growth. Many contractors left the sector after risk-averse businesses stopped engaging them. With IR35 now remaining in play, businesses must continue to prioritise compliance. The legislation is complex and navigating it can be a challenge, but with the right approach can, in fact, be managed.

For any assistance please email nicola.goodridge@goodhr.co.uk or call +44 (0)7917 878384

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is fast approaching with the showpiece tournament now just weeks away. Qatar is 3 hours ahead of GMT which means some matches will land during the working day. The tournament begins on 20 November 2022 with the final due to take place on 18 December 2022.

The World Cup should be an opportunity to generate a good feeling in the workplace and boost staff morale, wellbeing and productivity rather than focussing on how to prevent ‘sickies!’

There are 64 matches across the tournament and the first of the England games takes place in the middle of the working day. Further, fans that support different teams may of course be keen to see their own matches which may also take place during work time. In addition, England fans may want to watch other big games which may also be played during the working day.

In group stage England will come up against USA, Iran and Wales as follows:

England v Iran – 4pm local/1pm UK – Mon 22 November 2022
England v USA – 10pm local/7pm UK – Fri 25 November 2022
Wales v England – 10pm local/7pm UK – Tue 29 November 2022

The concern is that staff sick days and unscheduled absences are likely to rise on or around these days, as staff take their seats in front of the TV to watch England play live. The best employers will be those that take a proactive approach to these events as follows:

• create temporary flexible working for the duration of the tournament
• allow late starting or early finishing on match days
• stage World Cup events in the office by setting up screens to show the matches
• run a sweepstake to ensure all staff feel involved
• plan in advance how to respond to multiple and last minute holiday requests!
• allow employees to watch lunch time matches and then stay late to make up time
• allow employees to listen or watch games online on work devices
• permit the streaming of games on employees’ own mobile devices

If you have a diverse workforce, make sure any temporary flexible arrangements are also available to them to watch their own national team play in the World Cup.

Taking positive steps to manage the workplace impact of the World Cup can have a beneficial effect on employee relations. As well as allowing staff to watch matches, employers could:

• put up special decorations in the office, such as flags of the countries involved;
• relax dress codes, including allowing football shirts to be worn; and
• provide refreshments during games.

Giving staff the opportunity to watch or celebrate major events is a really great way of engaging and motivating the whole team!!

nicola.goodridge@goodhr.co.uk or +44(0)7917878384 for any further advice