Archive for the: Blog Posts category

UK Visas and Immigration have published a quarterly report outlining the total number of fines for illegal working given to employers across the United Kingdom.

The report highlights that 826 illegal workers were found across the UK between 1 July and 30 September 2017 – an increase of 24% from the previous quarter.

600 penalties were issued to employers, amounting to fines of over £9.5 million.

It is important for employers to remember that they may be sent to jail for 5 years, or pay an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone who they knew or had ‘reasonable cause...

Following the government’s “naming and shaming” of employers that have failed to pay their staff the appropriate national minimum wage, it has been revealed that a further 180 employers will now have to pay £1.1 million to workers, and £1.3 million in fines.

The employers include well-known restaurant chains such as TGI Fridays and Wagamamas, although it has been revealed that employers in the hairdressing and hospitality sectors were in fact the biggest offenders, with arrears totalling over £500,000.

The news follows the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy publishing a list of 359...

The Supreme Court has decided on the appeal of a former head teacher of a primary school who was dismissed for a failure to disclose her relationship with a convicted child sex offender. This decision highlights the importance of the timing of disclosure of information so that the risks can be properly considered and appropriate action taken.

The facts of the case are summarised as follows:

• Ms Reilly (R) qualified as a teacher in 1987.

• R met Mr Selwood (S) in 1998 and developed a close friendship with him. The pair bought an investment property together and S lived there. R occasionally stayed...

Kitsons Solicitors have been named proud sponsors once again for the Rowcroft Sleep Walk 2018.

The well celebrated event, takes place on the 7th July and will see around 2000 ladies, walk 5-10 miles in aid of Rowcroft Hospice. Rowcroft provide comfort, support and specialist services to patient's and family member - be it at home, in the local community or at their inpatient unit in Torquay.

The scenic route will take you through Paington, Goodrington Sands and Torquay, with a start and end at Torbay Lesure Centre. 

Walks take place from 7.30pm - 9pm; sign...

Update: Our offices are now open as per usual

Due to the Met Office Red weather warning, Kitsons Offices will be closed from 12:30 today March 1^st 2018, we have taken the decision to close our offices today to ensure the safety of our staff and our clients.

Please do not attempt to drive or travel to a Kitsons office without first making contact with the office on 01803 202020.

We thank you for your understanding.

Please all stay safe in the snow.

Carolyn Giles is a Strategic HR Consultant with over 20 years experience across a range of sectors, including Charities, GP Practices, hospitality and social enterprises.  

Carolyn specialises in conducting HR investigations, some of which have been  within the Third Sector. Third Sector organisations benefit from Carolyn’s experience, as it means the impartiality of any investigation conducted cannot be called into question. Charities are under a high level of scrutiny from the public and government alike, so any decisions made need to be clearly evidenced and supported.

A big issue that Carolyn has seen emerging within the Third Sector is the lack...

Kitsons Solicitors offer a free monthly half hour legal surgery for the residents of Ashburton on Wills, Estate and Tax planning issues / Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

However, the two most important areas we come across on a daily basis are Wills and Powers of Attorney.

So why should you make a Will?

Your wishes – it is your opportunity to set out how you want your assets to be distributed when you die and whom you want to deal with those assets for you (your Executors).

Tax planning – your Will...

Hundreds of women who work in Tesco supermarkets across the UK could receive back pay totalling £20,000 if a legal challenge demanding equal pay with men who work in the company’s warehouse succeeds.

According to legal representatives instructed in the case, hourly paid female store staff earn less than men employed in the supermarket’s warehouses, even though the value of the work between the two is comparable.

Reports suggest that over 1,000 members of Tesco staff have contacted lawyers, with first steps being taken for at least 100 of them. Initial claims have been submitted...

I (Carolyn Giles) joined the employment team in 2014 as an HR consultant. Since that time, when I was delivering a very wide range of employment services including day to day advice, training, consultations etc, my role in the team has been refined. 

Strategic Human Resources sits within the HR profession, governed and guided through the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. I am a Fellow of the institute.

Many refer to HR as the 'dark art', it is certainly more art than science, so hopefully this will tell you a little about what I do in a practical sense.