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Running a Business

Businesses are regulated by a large body of law which company owners need to keep on top of.

Our legal questions and answers give legal help for a range of issues which those running a business may face.

Employee on long-term absence due to back injury

An employee says he is unwell, and therefore not able to return to work for at least a few months. He says he had an accident two years ago which damaged his back. What should I do?

Employee on long term absence for depression

An employee of 18 years has been off sick for anxiety and depression. I run a small business and it is now having a detrimental effect. What should I do?

Employee on maternity leave and unlikely to return

An employee is currently on maternity leave, but she has moved away and clearly has no intentions of returning to work. She is entitled to statutory maternity pay. Would she need to come to work for an amount of time to cover the costs of her maternity leave?

Employee on maternity leave seen working elsewhere

One of my employees is currently on maternity leave at the company’s pay but she has been seen working in another environment. What should I do now?

Employee on sick leave found to be abroad

My employee was off sick. It is company policy that they need to submit sick notes. My employee did for a number of weeks then suddenly the sick notes stopped. I tried to make contact with my employee to no response. I soon discovered that she was abroad due to the mobile phone answer phone message. I was advised to dismiss her because the sick notes had not come in. I did not hold a disciplinary hearing; I just carried out the dismissal. My employee has now submitted an unfair dismissal claim on grounds that I did not attempt to contact her. What should I do now?