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Why employment tax is moving up the agenda for charities
For many charities, employment tax has traditionally been seen as something for payroll or finance teams to manage behind the scenes. That is changing. Rising staffing costs, more flexible ways of working and upcoming…
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Free insurance 'health check' for charities
As a member of Charity Intelligence, HWS is committed to supporting fellow members. Ensuring that a charity has the right insurance in place is essential, not only to protect the organisation itself, but also its…
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Employment Rights Act 2025: What Employers Need to Know
The Employment Rights Act 2025 represents the most significant overhaul of UK employment law in a generation. With changes rolling out across 2026 and 2027, employers will need to understand the new requirements, update…
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Troy UK Equity Income Strategy Newsletter No 15
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Responsible Investment Report No.19
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Special Paper No.13 – Private credit: canary in the coal mine?
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The Diary of a Pessimistic Charity Investor
A short story on why optimisim pays.
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Responsible Investment Report No.18
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Troy UK Equity Income Strategy Newsletter No 14
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Responsible Investment Report No.17
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Practical advice for charities on contract management
Exploring how charities can exploit opportunities, and manage risk, through good contract management – the practical over the technical. Whilst we are well versed in advising charities on a plethora of technical…
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Understanding the law on unfair contract terms: A guide for charities
“It’s an unfair cop!” – exploring the world of unfair contract terms for charities. In the world of charity work, contracts are an essential part of daily operations. Whether they’re entering into agreements with…
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Demystifying contractual terms for charities: Limitation and exclusion of liability
Exploring the limitation and exclusion of liability in charity contracts. Background: Limitation and exclusion of liability Clearly, one of the most important questions for any charity entering into a contract is how it…
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Updated Injury to Feelings Awards in Discrimination Claims
If an employee is successful in their discrimination claim, an Employment Tribunal has the ability to make an award for compensation for injury to feelings. Injury to feeling awards are distinct from financial…
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Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Why Inclusion Matters
Understanding Neurodiversity Neurodiversity describes the natural variation in how people experience, interpret, and engage with their environment. It recognises that no two minds are the same, and that’s something to be…
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Responsible Investment Report No.16
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Supporting Employees Through Ramadan: A Guide for Employers
Ramadan will commence on the evening of Friday, 28 February, after the sighting of the crescent moon, and will continue for 30 days, concluding on Sunday, 30 March. Following this period, Muslims will celebrate Eid…
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Government Publishes Supporting Regulations On Neonatal Care Leave And Pay
The Government has recently published supporting regulations on Neonatal Care Leave and Pay, a significant development for working parents in the UK. The Regulations (subject to Parliamentary approval) are set to come…
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Troy Global Equity Strategy Newsletter No.19
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Responsible Investment Report No.14
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Dealing With Bad Weather Disruptions
With winter around the corner, adverse weather conditions are likely to cause disruption to employees’ travel arrangements and ability to commute to the workplace. So, how should an employer handle workplace issues…
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Changes to Bereavement Leave: What Employers Need to Know
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and its impact on an individual’s wellbeing and productivity should never be underestimated. When employees are faced with the loss of a loved one, their capacity to focus on work…
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New Employers Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment Within The Workplace
Sexual harassment within the workplace has been rightly unlawful for some time and therefore, employers should already have some policies and procedures in place to handle it should it occur. Previously, employers were…
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Case study: CEO recruitment
“We went out to tender with three other companies and Action Planning came in significantly cheaper than a couple of them and slightly below the other. Cost is big thing to us. We have a fairly longstanding relationship…
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Top Legal Tips For Your Office Christmas Party
The work Christmas party is a great chance to get colleagues together for a festive celebration. But it can also bring with it unwanted consequences and repercussions for employers. What should employers be aware of?…
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How charities can support job sharing
With the sector facing a skills shortage, job sharing is one way to access a greater range of skills and experience. Here are some tips to recruit, onboard and manage a job share Job sharing is when two people share the…
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Global Equity Strategy Newsletter No.18
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What action can employers take in response to incidents of public disorder?
While the UK has previously seen incidents of public disorder, these have tended to be restricted in terms of location. The geographical breadth of the ongoing public disorder that we are seeing in many towns and cities…
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Leading benchmark on workplace mental health in UK finds “revealing” gap between leaders and laggards
CCLA's third benchmark on corporate mental health shows just over one in four (24) of the UK’s largest listed employers have improved their tier performance on workplace mental health in the past year – to the implied…
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How to handle Flexible Working requests
By Tracy Madgwick What does the new Flexible Working amendment mean for you and your organisation? How should you handle requests for flexible working? What are your employees’ rights in this area, and what are yours?…
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How to make volunteering more inclusive
Volunteers are a lifeline for many charities, so it’s important to treat them with equity and fairness . Everyone should be able to volunteer and make a difference, whatever their background . To attract and retain…
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How to stop repeating your recruitment mistakes
In case you missed it, Friday 2 nd of February was Groundhog Day, a date that has become synonymous with repetition, thanks to the film of that name starring Bill Murray. Every morning he wakes up to find he’s reliving…
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An interview with Catherine Eadie, Director of MHSCOT Workplace Wellbeing
Meet Catherine Eadie, Founding Director of MHScot Workplace Wellbeing CIC . It’s a fab social enterprise that offers education to businesses about mental health and well-being in the workplace. Catherine has been in…
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Advancing Racial Equity
In this thematic piece, Castlefield's Eleanor Whalley discusses the ethnicity pay gap and how the scope of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) strategies among investee firms is increasing to progress characteristics…
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Remote working in the not-for-profit sector
What are the benefits and challenges of remote working in the charity and not-for-profit sector? We know that many charities have moved to remote or hybrid working in recent years. Remote working can be really beneficial…
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The lonely HR - Who’s looking after the person who looks after everyone else?
By Shelley Poole Workplace isolation is a hot topic in HR circles. As I write, it is Loneliness Awareness Week (12th-18th June 2023), so the questions will be high on everybody’s agenda. How is remote working affecting…
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Whistleblowing in charities: why it is so important – right now
Blowing a whistle remains the most effective means of being heard above the crowd and drawing attention to an issue. Speaking up can help charities to do their work even better. The relevance of whistleblowing to…
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EAT rules on redundancy consultation
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Tips to help employers minimise GDPR breach
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What happens when an employee doesn't want to be reinstated after an appeal?
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The office Christmas party advice for employers
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Sponsor licences for skilled workers
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Holiday pay for part year workers - what does it mean for employers?
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Update on covid-related disability
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Are your line managers confident in dealing with employment issues?
Managers are often expected to deal with HR and employment issues without any training. Support and up-skill them using our HR & EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR MANAGERS eLEARNING which they can easily refer back to when issues…
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Workplace wellbeing
Everyone has a responsibility to protect the mental health of our society, including ourselves, and of our local communities. During the pandemic, 9 in 10 charity workers said they felt stressed, overwhelmed or burnt out…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 20, The changing face of global mobility
Andy Graham chats to special guests Emma Morgan (partner in the Shoosmiths employment team) and Davyd Fisher (Tax Director at Grant Thornton UK LLP) about global mobility, in episode 20 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast. The…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 19, Trade union communication strategies
In a week in which industrial relations are once again in the headlines, with University staff intending to take strike action across the UK, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Leech are joined by special guest…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 18, Supporting employees experiencing domestic violence
Episode 18 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast sees Andy Graham chats to special guests Peter Morris (Partner in the Shoosmiths family team) and Mahdiya Malik (HR and CSR Manager at Vaultex) about Vaultex's recent introduction…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 17, Menopause in the workplace
In episode 17 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss menopause in the workplace and how employers can support. This episode covers: Why it is important for…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 16, Conduct outside of work
In episode 16 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech consider when conduct outside the workplace becomes an employer’s issue. This episode covers: When conduct outside…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 15, How to make hybrid working work
In episode 15 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss what hybrid working is and why this option will be of interest to employers going forward. This episode…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 13, The importance of using occupational health
In episode 13 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech talk about why occupational health is an important tool for employers. This episode covers: Why employers should…
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CV fraud: Supreme Court rules you must pay back some wages
In the recent case of R v Andrewes [2022] UKSC 24, the Supreme Court considered whether stripping the Defendant of their earnings would be disproportionate when considering the financial benefit obtained by CV Fraud…
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The future of work: managing absence in a hybrid working world
It is generally accepted that hybrid working is here to stay, along with all the challenges that managing a remote workforce presents. Here we focus on how an employer can effectively manage absence when employees are…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 12, Do clever people need protecting at work?
In episode 12 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech debate whether ‘high IQ’ should be protected from discrimination. This episode covers: The problems with defining…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 11, Kiss and tell - relationships at work
In episode 11 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast, Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss relationships at work in light of recent events. This episode covers: Why it is important to have a…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 10, Returning to work and employee mental health
Episode 10 of the Shoospeak HR Podcast discusses how and why employers need to be mindful of the effect of the pandemic on employee mental health. Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 9, Covid-19 twelve months on in the workplace...
Our Shoospeak HR podcast reflects on and discusses some of the measures currently being considered by employers to keep their workplaces safe twelve months on from the start of the pandemic. Shoosmiths colleagues Andy…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Episode 6, The Christmas Crackers of 2020
Our Shoospeak HR podcast sums up the employment law developments and HR highlights and lowlights from this year. Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss the significant employment law…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Innocent isolator or regulation rulebreaker?
Our Shoospeak HR podcast considers to what extent employers can take action against employees who break the COVID-19 regulations and rules in respect of self-isolating. Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and…
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Shoospeak HR Podcast: Farewell Furlough
Our inaugural Shoospeak HR podcast focuses on the end of the furlough scheme and some of the issues employers are facing as a result. Shoosmiths colleagues Andy Graham, Amy Anderson and Amy Leech discuss the ending of…
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Podcast series: Journey through a contract, Episode 7 - Force majeure
Force Majeure Episode 7 of our Journey Through a Contract is a Special Edition which sees Michelle Craven-Faulkner joined by fellow partners Fiona Teague and Jonathan Smart to discuss, amongst other things, force…
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Podcast series: Journey through a contract, Episode 5 - Payment terms
Payment terms (including late payment) Episode 5 of our Journey Through a Contract sees Emma Lusty (Principal Associate) and Maeve Honey (Associate) discuss payment terms. The duo explain what is meant by payment terms…
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Podcast series: Journey through a contract, Episode 3 - 'Time is of the essence'
Time is of the Essence Episode 3 of our Journey Through a Contract sees Associates Dan Greatorex and Dan Goddard explain the importance of the phrase ‘Time is of the Essence’ in a commercial contract. Listen to the…
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Podcast series: Journey through a contract, Episode 2 - Best endeavours and reasonable endeavours
Best Endeavours and Reasonable Endeavours Episode 2 of Journey Through a Contract sees Rida Sheikh (Paralegal) and Priti Bansel-Branch (Principal Associate) talk about the benefits and pitfalls of using Best Endeavours…
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Collaborative working made simple – the benefits of a joint approach for charities
Given the challenging economic environment, it is good practice for charities to regularly question the status quo and discuss alternative structures. One option increasingly on the boardroom agenda is collaborative…
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Is a requirement to be vaccinated still an option for the care sector?
With regulations imposing mandatory vaccination for certain workers in the care sector being implemented to those same regulations being revoked some four months later, employers in this sector may well be confused as to…
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The employer’s guide to the four-day working week
Employers can use innovative ways of working that differentiate their organisation to engage their current workforce and retain and attract talent. Flexible ways of working can also foster a positive company culture…
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How can charities retain their best staff?
Retention of talented staff is important at any time but this year even more so. According to the Office for National Statistics, for the first time since records began there are more job vacancies in the UK than there…
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Values in recruitment – How can charities find the ‘right’ employees?
Recruiting the ‘right’ people is an important part of managing a successful charity, but is not always as easy as we might hope. We may feel like we’ve hired the perfect candidate in terms of experience but find that…
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The top three immigration issues affecting charities (1)
Many charities are now registered sponsors for immigration purposes. This means that a charity is able to employ overseas nationals where they are unable to recruit in the UK. A number of charities will also choose to…
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Should you ‘fire and rehire’ in order to change the terms of the employment contract?
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Religious Discrimination – Jewish worker awarded over £26,000 following dismissal for Passover absence
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Ban on exclusivity clauses in employment contracts to be extended
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The top three immigration issues affecting charities
Many charities are now registered sponsors for immigration purposes. This means that a charity is able to employ overseas nationals where they are unable to recruit in the UK. A number of charities will also choose to…
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Menopause in the workplace
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From 6 April 2022 employees can produce digital fit notes
New regulations mean that from 6 April 2022 a new form of fit note is permitted for social security or statutory sick pay (which will be used in parallel with the existing fit note version). The change removes the…
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Fear of catching COVID-19 not a protected belief rules Employment Tribunal
An Employment Tribunal recently ruled that a fear of COVID-19 is not a reason to not return to the office, but charities need to be mindful how they approach managing employees’ return to office working and take…
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The oxymoron of getting paid in advance
You are a charity and y ou’ve been paid in advance so what do you do?
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5 Ways to Make Stress a Superpower
Recently, we were delighted to be joined by Olympic hockey gold medallist Maddie Hinch MBE and leading businesswoman Cheryl Potter – former Partner at Private Equity firm Permira and Chair of Level 20 – to explore how to…
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Blowing the whistle on Covid-related activities
A sales assistant has been found to have been unfairly dismissed after expressing concerns about her colleagues failing to follow Covid precautions. Leigh Best brought claims of unfair dismissal, sex and age…
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Company Sick Pay Cuts and Covid-19
Recent weeks have seen a relaxation in the self-isolation rules across England and Wales. People with Covid-19 (regardless of vaccination status) can now end their self-isolation after five full days, provided they test…
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Government temporarily changes the rules around Fit Notes
To free up GP capacity to support the Covid-19 booster programme, the Government has temporarily amended the rules around sickness absence which will impact when an employer can request medical evidence of proof of…
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HR Flexi- our employment law package for your Organisation
Download Employment-HR-Flexi-Flyer.pdf
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Long COVID and the workplace
There is a still lot we don’t know about Long COVID and its prognosis which can make it difficult for employers to properly support staff with the condition and manage the potential impact on their workforce. Here we set…
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When Covid makes it impossible to fulfil contracts
JAYNE ADAMS, partner at law firm McCARTHY DENNING, talks through a whole range of issues when the performance of contracts is impeded by Covid. Please click here to read the full article.
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The need for volunteers in the charity sector
Volunteering isn’t just great for charities, it’s beneficial to the individual too. Research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales , shows that the main benefits are: It provides a good balance…
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7 inspirational stories our world needs more of
While I’m passionate about charities and the important work they do, it’s specifically newly established, small and medium-size charities that I’m keen to support. Often started in response to personal circumstances or a…
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The first rule of VAT for charities – assume nothing!
Guest post by Les Howard of vatadvice.org It is often said that the first rule of VAT is to assume nothing! In the charity sector, this is especially true. One assumption that is incorrect is that charities don’t have to…
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Happy 4th Birthday! 6(ish) lessons I've learned along the way Happy 4th Birthday! 6(ish) lessons I’ve learned along the way
My dream was to set up a business and help small UK charities. And despite the wraith of Covid-19, which decimated the charitable sector, last year our growth was ridiculous to the point where my team is now 4 strong. In…
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Explaining VAT Exemptions
Guest post by Les Howard of vatadvice.org There are six VAT exempt ‘Groups’ which specifically apply to the charitable sector. Each has its nuances. Advisers must understand that exemption depends on two factors…
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Vaccines – guidance for charities as employers
As the vaccine programme has extended to the wider adult population following the government’s priority listing issued late in 2020, organisations will be starting to look at reopening their workplaces in line with the…
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Granting Leave for Employee Holidays
Since the Prime Minister set out his roadmap in February to gently ease the lockdown restrictions in England, many are getting excited about the prospect of potentially having a holiday abroad this year. Based on the…
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Can charities and not for profit organisations require their employees and workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination?
Vaccinations are currently a huge talking point and with the NHS and other workers (such as in the care sector) being required to have it, there is a question in the minds of many individuals working in other sectors…
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Is your charity/not for profit organisation prepared for the reforms to the IR35 off-payroll working?
Introduction With the reforms to the IR35 Off-payroll legislation coming into effect from 6 April 2021, many charities and not for profit organisations may be unsure whether the new tax changes will apply to them and…
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Taking Care of Yourself and Others
Taking care of yourself and others We are all familiar with stress and the impact it can have on our wellbeing. 2020 was an uncertain time for many of us and has shown us that we can’t predict what is around the corner…
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Working in partnership to improve working conditions
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Academy Accounts Workshop | COVID-19 Bulletin
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COVID-19 – Advice for Charities
Charities are at the forefront of the nation’s response to the current crisis, being vital to the delivery of much-needed services, many of which are now in even greater demand. Yet charities face particular…
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How the coronavirus is impacting small charities
All organisation across the UK are currently being impacted by covid-19, including small charities which provide crucial support during this difficult time. According to the Small Charities Coalition, small charities…
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Engaging on Modern Slavery in the UK’s Construction Sector
Modern Slavery – a term which covers forced labour, child labour and child slavery, forced/early marriage, debt bondage/bonded labour, and human trafficking – is thought to affect over 40 million people worldwide…