Celebrating Carers Week 2025
In this edition of The Legal Low Down, we’re covering:
- Carer’s Leave: What Employers Need To Know
- A Crucial Companies House Update For Directors
- Highlights From Our Charity Pub Quiz
- Two Exciting Award Nominations!
Carers Workplace Rights
This years Carers Week theme, “Caring About Equality” highlights the real-world inequalities carers face.
According to the Caring About Equality report:
- 46% of carers in employment say they face disadvantages staying in work or progressing in their careers
- 1 in 4 carers have reduced their hours to meet care responsibilities.
The Carer’s Leave Act 2023
In effect since 6 April 2024, the Act helps working carers balance work and care duties.
Key Points:
- Up to 1 week of unpaid leave per year
- Available from Day 1 of employment
- Can be taken in full or half days
- Must be used to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need
- Employers can’t refuse leave, but can postpone it by up to one month
Who counts as a Dependant?
- A spouse, civil partner, child or parent
- Someone living in the same household (excluding lodgers or tenants)
- Anyone who reasonably relies on the employee for care
What is a long-term care need?
- A condition under the Equality Act 2010
- Illness/injury expected to last more than 3 months
- Care needs due to old age
Other time-off options for carers
Employees may also:
- Take emergency Time Off for Dependants
- Submit a Flexible Working Request
Tip: Always handle requests sensitively to avoid claims of associative discrimination.
If in doubt, we’re here to help.
Horizon Scanning: What Employers should do
With the proposed Employment Rights Bill 2025 aiming to introduce paid carers leave, now’s the time to prepare.
- Review policies on carers and flexible working
- Update your staff handbook
- Train managers on how to handle requests
- Keep an eye on legislation updates
IN CORPORATE NEWS…IT’S ID TIME!
Not a nightclub bouncer. Not Tesco self checkout. This time it’s Companies House asking for ID.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), ID verification is now required for:
- All incoming and existing directors
- Members, general partners, managing officers
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
- Anyone filing documents on a company’s behalf
What do you need to do?
- Get verified–Show Companies House you’re not a robot, cardboard cutout or your mate Dave using your login.
- Don’t wait–It’s not mandatory yet…but it will be soon
Avoid fines – Non-compliance = potential penalties + being blocked from acting as a director!
FREE EMPLOYMENT LAW HEALTH CHECK
Why not take advantage of our free Employment Law Health Check? We’ll review your HR documentation, handbooks, contracts, policies, etc., to make sure everything’s up to date and legally sound. Let us take care of the legal details so you can focus on running your business.
Employment Law Webinar
Thanks to everyone who joined our joint webinar with Sewell Wallis Recruitment on 10 June. It was a brilliant session covering the latest employment law updates.
Thinking of hosting an internal training session or an external event? Lauren Pickard regularly partners with organisations to deliver expert, practical HR and employment law guidance. Get in touch to find out how we can help.
CMP News & Events
Huge thanks to everyone who attended our annual CMP Charity Pub Quiz, hosted by CMP’s own Jason Skelton.
We raised a fantastic ￡1,520 for Fairplay, a local charity supporting children and young people (aged 0–25) with disabilities and their families in North Derbyshire.
– Winners: Begbies Traynor with 68.5 points
– Runners-up: SMH Group & Yes Tax (joint second with 68 points)
– Wooden Spoon: Price Linsey after a tiebreaker with CRA!
There’s still time to support this great cause, the JustGiving page is open until 11 July:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/cmp-legal-4
And Finally . . . We’ re FINALISTS! Enterprising Women Awards 2025
We’re thrilled to share that CMP has been named a finalist in the prestigious Enterprising Women Awards 2025! With so
many incredible and inspiring entries, it’s an honour to be recognised — a testament to the dedication, drive, and
impact of our amazing team. Even more exciting, we’re in the running for 2 categories: Small Business of the Year and
Team of the Year.
A few words from our very own Stacey Pocock (Director and Co-Founder) – “We spent an interesting and enjoyable afternoon at Whatton House among some inspirational business leaders. To top this off with two award nominations for Small Business of the Year and Team of the Year was fantastic. The Enterprising Women awards recognise excellence and inclusivity within the East Midlands business community so we’re delighted to be chosen as finalists. Fingers crossed for a win at the ceremony in September.”
We couldn’t be prouder! Roll on September for the announcement of the winners!
