Confidential e-mail helpline

Members have unlimited use of the Helpline service, through which they can ask questions on any employment matter. Questions are answered (by email) within 2 working days of submission. Recent questions covered topics including:

• Retirement age not specified in employment contract
• Bank holiday entitlement for part-time employees
• Accusation of bullying
• Handling requests not to retire
• Recovering overpayment of wages
• Dismissing an employee who is on long term sick leave
• Implications of staff working at home
• Handling frequent sickness absence
• Employee called for jury service
• Handling long term sickness absence
• Fixed term contract to cover maternity leave
• Handling an underperforming employee
• Transfer of employees in Practice merger
• Avoiding discrimination in recruitment
• Probationary period
• Employee suspected of theft from the dispensary
• Changing employees' hours
• Self-employed status
• Disciplinary procedure
• Flexible working rights for parents
• Gross misconduct
• Staff who work alone
• Employing young workers
• And many, many more ...