Jo Trimarco

  What are “Protected Characteristics” under the Equality Act 2010, and what do SMEs need to know? Running a small business isn’t just about getting the job done, it’s about treating people fairly along the way. That’s where the Equality Act 2010 comes in. It’s the main UK law protecting people from discrimination in the […]

Employee Resigns Then Goes Off Sick: Do You Pay Full Notice or SSP? Running an SME means every penny and every person counts. If an employee resigns and then goes off sick during their notice period, it’s natural to wonder: Should you pay their full notice pay or just Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)? The short […]

Earlier this year, headlines broke about Nestlé’s CEO being fired over an undisclosed relationship with a subordinate. If even a global giant with layers of HR policies can run into trouble, what does this mean for small businesses? It’s a question worth asking, because in my work with small business clients, I’ve seen first-hand how […]

Clients often ask me: “When it comes to official meetings with staff, do we have to let them bring someone along?” The answer is, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The law sets out clear rules, but there are also many situations where it’s simply good practice to allow it, even if not strictly required. Here’s a […]

A Surrey fish and chip shop owner has been left in shock after being fined £40,000 for allegedly hiring someone who used fake identity papers. The case is a strong reminder that small employers must carry out right to work checks or risk huge fines. He was probably feeling a bit battered! 🐟 What Happened? […]

Labour’s Work Reforms: Where We Are Now Labour’s major employment reforms, the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) are moving through Parliament. The Bill promises day‑one rights for unfair dismissal, sick pay, and parental leave. It also aims to ban exploitative zero‑hours contracts and end fire‑and‑rehire practices. Delivery will be phased, with some key changes not expected […]

If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve hired someone on a casual, part-time, or freelance basis. But are you confident you’re paying holiday correctly,  and that your team is properly classified? Holiday pay is one of the most misunderstood areas of employment law. Recent legal cases, including Main v SpaDental (2024), show that […]

One of the most expensive mistakes a manager can make is delaying a difficult conversation with an employee. I recently supported a client who postponed tackling performance issues with a staff member. By the time they decided to act, the employee had reached two years’ service, a crucial milestone in UK employment law. At this […]

A recent case highlights just how crucial it is for employers to carry out thorough right to work checks. One of my clients only realised they had unknowingly employed an individual using someone else’s identity when the real person, whose identity had been used applied for a job with them. Shockingly, the real person was […]

Recently, I’ve noticed a worrying trend among some clients. Several have asked me for disciplinary hearing letters related to alleged employee misconduct. However, when I ask to see the investigation reports, I’m often told there isn’t one. Instead, they say the employee is simply “guilty,” and they want to proceed straight to a hearing. This […]