The Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld a tribunal decision than an employee had been fairly dismissed without warning after bringing numerous grievances which they refused to pursue; seeking to keep them open indefinitely. Additionally, the employee had failed to comply with a reasonable instruction of the employer when asked to attend a grievance meeting.

In order for the dismissal to be considered fair was dependent upon whether the employer had acted reasonably in treating the employee’s misconduct as a sufficient reason for dismissal.

The EAT held that the tribunal’s decision had been entitled to consider the employee’s failure to attend the grievance meeting as a form of wrongdoing.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61b9cb19d3bf7f05545e1452/Mr_M_Hope_v_British_Medical_Association_EA-2021-000187-JOJ__Previously_UKEATPA_0003_21_JOJ__.pdf

It was announced on 19 January 2022 that restrictions in England would be lifted from the following dates:

• 19 January 2022 – Work from Home guidance has been removed in England. The suggestion for employers is to discuss working arrangements with staff.
• 27 January 2022 – There will no longer be a legal requirement to wear face coverings (possible exception for TfL). The government guidance does continue that masks should ideally be worn in enclosed and crowded places. Additionally, venues will no longer be legally required to check visitors Covid-19 passes but it can still be used on a voluntary basis.

The legal requirements regarding self-isolation for positive COVID-19 tests and for unvaccinated close contacts will remain in place. It is expected that this may come to an end on 24 March 2022 but is yet to be confirmed. The end of such requirements to self-isolate would likely mean than SSP for those self-isolating would also cease.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-covid-19-19-january-2022

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/england-to-return-to-plan-a-following-the-success-of-the-booster-programme

Following the reported success of the 4-day working week trial in other countries, the UK now has around 40 companies signed up to take part in a six-month trial of the 4-Day working week.

This will entail employees being paid the same amount they usually would receive for working 5 full days.

The pilot begins in June 2022 and seeks to measure whether productivity levels remain operating at 100% when working only 80% of the time.

https://www.4dayweek.com/pilot-program-june2022uk