Time to talk about workplace mental wellbeing

Time to Talk Day on Thursday 6th February 2020 is an opportunity for employers to review policy and culture against best practice in employee mental wellbeing Workplace mental wellbeing is a top concern among employers, according to European-wide research1. According to the World Health Organization, lost productivity due to mental illness costs Europe US$140 billion per year.  In the UK, workplace mental illness is estimated to cost 2% of GDP and the latest statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that work-related stress, depression or anxiety now represents…

Statutory legacy for partners raised to £270,000

The government has kept its promise to update intestacy rules every five years – albeit three months after its deadline passed. The change increases the statutory legacy for partners of people who die intestate from £250,000 to £270,000. The statutory legacy was last changed in October 2014 when it was set at £250,000 under provisions in the Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014. The figure is meant to be updated every five years. A statutory instrument setting out the increase – which is in line with the consumer price index…

Holiday pay ruling hit schools and colleges

Holiday pay for those who work only part of the year and have no contractually set hours should not be calculated on a pro rata basis, under a judgement that will affect many in the education sector.  The Court of Appeal has ruled in The Harper Trust v Brazel that part-year workers are entitled to have statutory holiday pay calculated on the basis of their average earnings over the 12-week period prior to taking leave, to calculate the week’s pay provisions set out in the Working Time Regulations 1998. Many employers have…

Private Fostering – A short guide

In 2000, the country was shocked to the core by the murder of 8-year-old Victoria Climbié. She was privately fostered with her great aunt, who had arranged a fostering agreement with the child’s parents. After this tragic case, legislation was swiftly introduced to stop another tragedy by ensuring that vulnerable children were placed in safe, secure homes, regardless of the relationship of the carer to the child. It also means that local authorities now have to be a part of any private fostering arrangement, regardless of whether or not it’s…

Avoiding a cracker of a hangover from the company Christmas party

As the clock ticks down to Christmas party time, companies need to avoid the event becoming the wrong sort of cracker.  Any company-organised office party, whether in or out of working hours and on or off site, is an extension of the workplace which can test a business across the board on its policies and attitudes. “It’s a real stress-test for the culture of the business and its employment policies,” explained Huseyin “Each year we see another significant case reaching the courts arising from an incident at a work party. …

Indoor Radon levels dangerously increasing

Following the recent sequence of protests at Heathrow Airport and Central London, we have witnessed the rise of the Extinction Rebellion movement. Social media and news coverage has very much brought the debate on the unprecedented global climate emergency and the government’s inaction to implement changes to the forefront. However and ironically so, maybe we should be looking closer to home or should I say within our homes. Recent research into the amount of indoor radon concentrations in our homes suggests that the planet’s need to create more energy efficient…

Official launch of new Osbon Pharmacy

On 31 January 2019 Osbon Limited (a company owned by Daniel Osei-Bonsu and his wife, Benedicta Osei-Bonsu) purchased the entire issued share capital of AMF Medica Limited which owned a pharmacy at 52/54 Dorothy Sawyers Drive, Witham, Essex. The sellers were Meena Patel and her husband, Neelesh Patel. AMF Medica Limited, through Neelesh Patel, also had entered into an agreement for lease with Bellway Homes for purpose built premises near the existing pharmacy to relocate the pharmacy (and convenience store) to the new premises once the new premises were built.…

Interview with Gunduz Misiri our Associate Solicitor

Interview with Gunduz Misiri our Associate Solicitor Q: How long have you worked at Bowling & Co?A: Over 6 years and have enjoyed each and every year of working here. Q: What aspects of law first attracted you to the profession?A: The status of being a solicitor has always appealed to me. I have always been interested in property and business and becoming a Commercial Property solicitor was the perfect way to combine work with what I enjoy. Q: Who (or what) inspired you?A: My parents were always very supportive…

Interview with David Downham our Practice Director

Interview with David Downham our Practice Director Q: How long have you worked at Bowling & Co?A: 18 years, having joined on 1st June 2001.. Q: What attracted you to the profession?A: Having previously worked in the Civil Service and Accountancy worlds, I wanted a change of direction, and whilst studying to be a Chartered Secretary, I decided that the legal profession seemed a natural fit with my chartered studies, so I moved into this area. Q: Who (or what) inspired you?A: My late father, Ernie Downham; in his early…