Employment news round-up to for week to 1 September 2016

Acas has published a guide for workers that are new to work. The guide is aimed at young people and includes information on employment rights for 16 and 17 year olds and information on apprenticeships. The guide also considers types of contract, the national minimum wage, training, sickness and social media.

For a summary of key areas of employment law in England, see Practice note, English employment law: overview.

Source: Acas: Acas launches 'New to Work' guidance for young people on GCSE results day (25 August 2016).

A study of more than 1000 people by Willis PMI group has found:

For information on the right to request flexible working, see Practice note, Flexible working.

Source: CIPD: Employees using sick leave to care for elderly relatives (26 August 2016).

The Vote Leave Watch group has written to Theresa May seeking her commitment to continued protection of employment rights provided for under EU law following Brexit. The Vote Leave Watch group was set up by pro-remain MPs from the EU referendum campaign and is chaired by Labour MP Chuka Umunna. The Women and Equalities Select Committee has also asked the government for assurances that pregnancy and maternity rights will not be eroded, given the uncertainty following the vote to leave the EU (see Legal update, Women and Equalities Committee calls for better pregnancy and maternity protection).

Source: Pro-EU group of MPs challenge Theresa May to protect employment rights, guardian.com, 30 August 2016.

The directors of six restaurants who put their businesses into liquidation to avoid paying fines for employing illegal workers have received bans from being company directors or being involved in the management of companies for between six and eight years.

On 12 July 2016, the criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal migrant was extended to include circumstances where an employer has "reasonable cause to believe" that person is an illegal worker. For information on illegal working, see Practice note, Prevention of illegal working and establishing the right to work in the UK.

Source: Insolvency Service: No escape for restaurant directors who employed illegal workers (25 August 2016).