Employment matters
Lockdown could unlock greater equality in flexible working
Recommendations for employers considering coronavirus testing in their workplace - guidance for employers who may wish to include testing staff in the event of an outbreak in their business.
Guidance to some of the legal implications regarding workforce vaccinations - answers to some employer FAQs regarding approaches to take on requiring staff to get vaccinations and requesting information or evidence from them of being vaccinated.
Data breach risks from homeworking - employers with staff working from home for the longer term should beware of the increased risks of non-compliance with the GDPR.
The redundancy process needs careful consideration when involving furlough leave - ensuring fairness throughout the process if you have staff who are on or who have had a period of furlough leave adds a new dimension to this.
Extended furlough announced November 2020 - Guidance released for extended furlough (Job Retention Scheme).
Furlough updates - reflecting situation at 12 June 2020.
Guide to Lay-off / Short-time working - a temporary solution for employers to the problem of no or less work due to an unexpected downturn in business or unforeseen circumstances.
Furlough FAQs - the Job Retention Scheme is the Government’s initiative for employers who will struggle to cover staff costs during the business restrictions.
Commercial and corporate matters
Guide to GDPR compliance when homeworking – many businesses have arranged for employees to work from home and the same data protection parameters remain in force, this guide offers some practical tips to ensure compliance.
Company director FAQs – advice for company directors facing
new and unexpected issues to maintain business operations under the current
restrictions.
Guide for company directors to risks of mismanagement claims - note highlighting some of the claims that directors may be at risk of facing following their response to Covid-19 and recommendations on how those risks can be minimised.
Court decision on landmark business insurance case provides lifeline for many companies - the Supreme Court has granted the appeal in favour of the FCA and policyholders in the Covid-19 Business Interruption Insurance Test case.
Business contract clauses and cancellation FAQs - information about the contractual clauses which determine a businesses obligations if they are unable to fulfil their contracts.
Debt recovery FAQs - an update on options open to businesses which are owed money or have ongoing court actions.
Caveats FAQs - an early warning mechanism to help protect your business.
Insolvency and directors' duties FAQs - the Government's measures to help companies and directors having to make decisions about
insolvency.
Guide to current court procedures and accessibility for individuals and businesses - updated guidance (as at 30 September 2020) has been issued regarding business that can now progress in the courts.
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts 2020 summary FAQs - a summary of the temporary measures introduced by the Scottish Government in the Coronavirus Acts No 1 and 2 to mitigate the effects of the shutdown - updated at 9 June 2020.
Situation summary - Government announce support package providing grant funding for start-up businesses.
Could the fall-out of the pandemic fuel the revolution in employee ownership? - Douglas Roberts explains to the Scotsman why firms may consider this transition to ensure greater resilience.
Property matters
Guide for returning to the workplace - some key questions that business tenants should consider putting to their commercial landlords to ensure appropriate social distancing and hygiene arrangements are in place for employees return to the workplace.
Guide for commercial landlords - advice for managing requests from tenants to excuse or delay rent payment - updated at 9 June 2020.
Guide for commercial tenants - advice for managing significant lease costs when receiving little or no income from trade.
Guide to dealing with service charges in multi-occupancy commercial buildings - advice for landlords and tenants regarding the management and safety of common areas and liability for cost incurred.
Guide for private landlords (April 2021) - advice for dealing with rent and terminating tenancies following the introduction of The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act.
Foreign investors still flocking to Scots commercial property market, despite virus crisis - Derek Nash spoke to the Herald about how the market is being affected.
Legislative changes could be ahead for transforming derelict sites - Scott Geekie wrote in the Scotsman (November 2020) about considerations for communities and landowners.
Rural matters
Situation summary - dealing with access rights as lockdown eases means landowners need to manage the potential increase in footfall and implement responsible land management
Land and countryside access rights FAQs - including information on rural sporting and fishing activities.
Rural travel and tourism FAQs - travel advice for residents in rural areas and those with second homes or holiday accommodation for let in the country.
Guidance on court closures - the impact on courts and Government agencies dealing with rural matters.
What does easing lockdown mean for access rights? - are landowners able to manage the potential increase in footfall and implement responsible land management
Third Sector matters
Charities urged to consider mergers as a way out of the pandemic - restructuring could help third sector organisations counter the the financial and operational challenges they face
Guide on governance matters - maintaining good governance is crucial to protect charitable organisations and trustees and to continue operating.
Holding a virtual AGM FAQs - charities may be considering an online AGM to meeting their constitutional requirements.
How can charities focus on the future? - Alastair Keatinge suggests alliances and mergers as a way for charities and third sector organisations to secure a sustainable and successful future
