Employee wellbeing: your responsibilities as an employer

Bowls of fresh fruit and mindfulness sessions are becoming increasingly common in the workplace as employers try to promote the wellbeing of their staff. A successful wellbeing strategy can improve employee attendance and  retention, as well as productivity.  It can also help shield you from compensation claims brought by employees for stress-related conditions which may be exacerbated by their work. Gillian Reid, employment law expert with Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby sets out an employer’s legal obligations for employee wellbeing and suggests initiatives for you to adopt. Stress at work Employers are under an obligation to protect their employees from the risk of injury while at work, including the risk of injury to their mental health caused by the development of depression and anxiety as a result of work-related stress.  Where it can be…

Agree Christmas arrangements for children now

Christmas is a magical time of the year for children. There is the anticipation of the presents they may receive, the relief of having a few weeks off school and the excitement of seeing friends and family. The hopes of what Christmas may bring are no different for the children of parents who have divorced or separated, yet lingering there in the background will be the worry of who they are going to spend Christmas with and whether the parent who misses out will be alright. To make sure your child has a wonderful and stress-free Christmas this year, Robert Bellhouse, family law expert with Ware & Kay Solicitors in York & Wetherby offers some useful tips to estranged parents trying to agree arrangements for their children over the festive period. 1. Plan ahead Talk to…

Taking your first commercial lease

Some of the world’s most successful companies have started at home or in a garage, but at some point it makes sense to move to business premises.  Committing to your first commercial lease is an important step in the life of a young business and as it is a binding legal contract, it is vital to get legal advice before you sign. ‘Premises will make up a significant part of your total business costs’ says Jacky Burton commercial property solicitor with Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby, ‘so it is important to know exactly what you will be paying, your obligations and those of your landlord, and what flexibility you have if these premises no longer meet your needs.’ Your solicitor will explain everything and help ensure that you understand the long-term implications. The premises…

Considerations when buying a heritage property

When many of us think about heritage properties, we think of buildings associated with our architectural past: a castle, stately home or elegant Georgian townhouse perhaps. But new developments, such as barn and warehouse conversions, may also be heritage properties if they are listed or in a conservation area. In this article we look at the different categories of heritage property and the implications for buyers who face the prospect of having to deal with the obligations that go hand in hand with owning a property of historical interest.  If you are considering buying a listed building, a property in a conservation area or a property that appears in a local heritage asset list, then it is important that you speak to your solicitor at an early stage to discuss the implications. The fact that a property…