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Articles by Emma Gross
The changing definition of reward
In most organisations, reward is still treated as a transaction — a way to recognise output. But in a world defined by burnout, high turnover, and performance fatigue, that model is starting to crack.
Arts Sector's Use Of Unpaid Interns For Some Roles Could Be Illegal, Experts Say
A recent article in The Guardian has highlighted concerns that arts employers may be breaking the law by using unpaid interns to perform duties that should be assigned to paid employees. The practice is reportedly preventing young people from working-class backgrounds from gaining paid employment in the creative industries.
Breast Cancer Awareness month
They say 40 is the new 30, and that’s exactly how I felt in July 2022. Just before my 40th birthday, my career as a university lecturer was flourishing, with successful grant applications and publications. My partner was about to start a new job closer to home, and my daughters were thriving at school and nursery.
Closing the gender health gap
Women generally live longer than men, but they spend a larger proportion of their lives in poor health. Despite this, they receive less health monitoring and are often prescribed medications that can be harmful. These realities highlight an ongoing issue: gender-based health disparities. The UK has one of the widest gender health gaps among G20 nations, and the growing body of evidence shows that more action is needed to address this historical form of discrimination.
Influencers Forum: Women in Tech
Maarten Hoffmann: Paul, how do we encourage more females into technology? Paul Rolfe: One aspect to consider is role models. When I started my career in technology, it was partially down to a lady who made me want to study this subject. Maggie Philbin was a presenter on the BBC programme, Tomorrow’s World, a show that introduced new technologies. Having women in such roles on TV was both inspirational and cutting-edge. However, there aren’t many role models on TV for young people to relate to.
Kelly Mills - Platinum Media Group
Breaking barriers in law: rising to partnership As of recent reports, women represent approximately 35% of partners in LLP firms in England and Wales. This percentage highlights ongoing challenges for gender equality at the senior levels of the legal profession, despite women constituting 52% of all practising solicitors. Coole Bevis LLP, a leading law firm in Sussex, is bucking this trend as 67% of its partners are female. How did your career in law start?
What happens to redundancy pay when a company is financially distressed?
Iconic British fashion retailer Ted Baker, once a symbol of fashion industry excellence, has recently faced a stark reality – administration. This process, often a last resort for struggling businesses, comes with significant consequences, particularly for the employees who find themselves at the mercy of financial restructuring. When a company enters administration with little to no money to pay its staff redundancy packages, the situation becomes even more dire.
Plan to ban unpaid internships: What it means for HR
In a bid to tackle inequality, the Labour government has said it intends to ban unpaid internships unless they form part of an education or training course. Emma Gross outlines the implications of the move for HR and employers. As part of Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay, next month’s Employment Rights Bill is expected to include a ban on unpaid internships, a key aspect of a wider commitment to tackling inequality, social injustice, salary discrepancies and promoting social mobility.
Why Banning Unpaid Internships Is Good For Mums
For mums re-entering the job market after a career break, unpaid internships can pose a significant barrier. Many mothers face the challenge of re-establishing their careers, often after years spent focusing on childcare and family responsibilities. While an internship might seem like an ideal way to gain new skills or refresh existing ones, the financial burden of undertaking an unpaid role can be prohibitive.
Enforcing Covenants In The Age Of Disappearing Messages
In today's swiftly advancing digital environment, employers face new challenges in enforcing non-compete and non-solicitation covenants. Recently, it has been suggested that employees are capitalising on a unique feature on WhatsApp that allows messages to be automatically deleted or disappear after being sent, thoroughly eliminating any evidence and traces of unauthorised communications.
Enforcing covenants in the age of disappearing messages
In today's swiftly advancing digital environment, employers face new challenges in enforcing non-compete and non-solicitation covenants. Recently, it has been suggested that employees are capitalising on a unique feature on WhatsApp that allows messages to be automatically deleted or disappear after being sent, thoroughly eliminating any evidence and traces of unauthorised communications.
Employment and HR
The recent landslide victory of the Labour Party in the 2024 general election marks a pivotal shift in the UK's political and employment landscape. As Labour begins to implement its ambitious manifesto, significant changes are on the horizon for both employers and employees. Spencer West's own Emma Gross has provided an insightful analysis of these developments in her latest article featured in New Business magazine.
What does Labour’s victory result really mean for employers and employees?
The Labour Party’s victory in the 2024 general election marks a significant shift in the UK’s political landscape, with profound implications for the employment sector. As Labour takes the reins, both employers and employees are closely examining the party’s ambitious manifesto and proposed policies. This article explores what Labour’s win means for the employment landscape, highlighting the key aspects of their 2024 manifestos and policies.
Berkeley AEPi shellfish dump wasn’t antisemitic vandalism - Police
Police investigating shellfish dumped on the grounds of the Jewish fraternity at the University of California, Berkeley, say they are no longer treating the vandalism as a potential hate crime. Alpha Epsilon Pi had said it interpreted the strewn shellfish as “act of antisemitic vandalism” because shellfish is barred by Jewish dietary laws. But the fraternity, university and local police since learned that AEPi’s house wasn’t the only target, they all confirmed.
Shellfish dumped on UC Berkeley’s Jewish fraternity house
Local police are investigating after a Jewish fraternity at the University of California, Berkeley, reported finding hundreds of shellfish dumped across its property.
Carry on spying?
Since Covid-19 erupted into our lives, we have seen enormous shifts in working patterns. Many employees are still working from home and those that are going into the office, are doing so less frequently, taking advantage of remote working practices and greater flexibility. Employers have largely been accepting of this new practice of remote working and have had to place considerable trust and confidence in their employees, empowering them with a newfound sense of autonomy and responsibility.
Jaleh Rezaei is Leading a Mutiny
In 2007, Bogomil Balkansky, a Partner at Sequoia, received a knock on his office door. At the time, Balkansky was working at software behemoth VMware in Palo Alto, leading its product marketing team. The person at the door was a recruiter. "She came to me-and I remember this vividly-she told me, 'I just spoke to this young lady who is graduating from her master's program at Stanford," Balkansky says.
Politics, the workplace and discrimination
World politics can lead to heightened emotions within the workforce and can easily result in claims of bullying and harassment in the workplace. Over the past few weeks, we have been inundated with emotionally charged stories, images and videos of Vladamir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Social media, alongside 24-hour rolling news coverage makes the conflict impossible to ignore, and many people, who may well be your colleagues or employees, are personally affected by the war and its implications.
Otter's Helen Mayer Wants to Fix a Broken Childcare System
Some startup ideas are born from a founder's 3 a.m. epiphany. Some evolve gradually over years of focus and study. And some, as Helen Mayer tells it, are inspired by a feeling of "total rage." It was May 2020, and Mayer looked out the window of her Boston apartment to a city transformed. The silenced streets and boarded-up restaurants echoed the disruptions that COVID-19 had imposed on Mayer's own life.
UK employment law after Brexit
UK employment law after Brexit Emma Gross, January 21, 2020 Many working rights are derived from EU law, but these could be scrapped or changed after the UK leaves the Union As an employment lawyer I am often asked for examples of laws and rights the UK has been compelled to adopt by its membership of the EU. While the majority of our laws have been derived in parliament we are governed at the highest level by EU legislation.
Future HR hurdles the gig economy could bring
The term ‘gig economy’ has recently been a hot topic of debate in both the legal and political worlds. There has been an increase in the number of cases evolving out of the flexible business models adopted by it, including Uber, CitySprint and Deliveroo. The gig economy seemingly allows employers to hire individuals on a flexible basis, which suits many people because it allows them to choose when and how much they agree to take on, so that they can fit it around family or other commitments.
This week’s international HR headlines: flexible working in Singapore, slow recruitment in the UAE and ‘brain gain’ in Hong Kong
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has launched a Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA), in a move that reflects increasing demand from employees for greater work-life balance. According to the MoM, employers that offer flexible hours are more likely to attract and retain talent. The new FWA already has more than 250 adopters. 2.
Opinion: Testing learners straight away is a waste of time
It’s pointless assessing short-term memory, writes Adam Beard – it’s employees’ ability to store knowledge in their long-term memory that really counts Since Ebbinghaus first came up with his theory of the ‘forgetting curve’ in 1885, we have understood that memory degrades and the approximate rate at which it degrades, and that repetition in the learning process (eg active recall) aids knowledge retention.
Gender equality at work has barely improved in 10 years, report finds
The UK’s gender equality at work has barely budged in 10 years, a recent report has found, sparking warnings that women could be waiting decades to see a real difference. The Gender Equality Index 2017, which was published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) earlier this week, also revealed that gender equality at work across the EU as a whole had improved little between 2005 and 2015.
What happens to staff when a company goes into administration?
Solicitor Emma Gross assesses the likely outcomes for employees following Monarch’s collapse Earlier this month, Britain’s fifth-largest airline, Monarch, ceased trading and entered into administration. The airline’s collapse left more than 100,000 passengers stranded abroad and resulted in the UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation, with the Civil Aviation Authority having to coordinate tens of thousands of flights to bring passengers home.
HR news, jobs & blogs
In his seminal 1835 study, Democracy in America, French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville wrote: “Amongst democratic nations, each generation is a new people.” In recent years, de Tocqueville’s theory has gained new currency. And the idea that different generations view the world according to their own specific outlook is particularly relevant in the workplace, where there are currently at least five generations jostling for managerial attention.
How to alleviate employees’ Brexit concerns
What are the implications of the UK government’s latest stance on EU workers and what can HR professionals do to reassure them? Emma Gross reports Prime minister Theresa May has announced that all EU nationals who have been lawfully resident in the UK for at least five years will be able to apply for ‘settled status’ after Brexit and be able to bring over spouses and children.
HR news, jobs & blogs
MPs shoot down bid to end cap, after speculation government’s position on the issue was changing MPs last night rejected a bid to scrap the public sector pay cap by 323 votes to 309, after the Democratic Unionist Party sided with the Conservatives.
North Braddock Residents Plan To Give 'Second Life' To Community Park
North Braddock residents are using their own hands to rebuild the town’s parks with the first ever Build Day this Saturday at Recycle Park. The park on the corner of Bell Avenue and Verona Street was once a vibrant park with playground equipment, lights, water and a pavilion, said Vicki Vargo, treasurer of North Braddock Cares, Inc. Over the years, wood and metal structures deteriorated with rust, and the only ones left nowadays are the pavilion and merry-go-round, she said.
U.S. Attorney General Addresses Pittsburgh’s Community-Police Relationships
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited Pittsburgh on Monday as part of the nationwide Community Policing Tour that highlights cities taking innovative and effective steps to build trust between the police force and the community. Pittsburgh is one of six pilot cities in the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice announced by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in March.
PennEnvironment Takes Steps Toward A Lawsuit Against Monessen Coke Plant
PennEnvironment announced Tuesday that it has officially sent a notice letter to steel company ArcelorMittal of a potential lawsuit for its violations of the federal Clean Air Act at its Monessen coke plant in Westmoreland County. David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, an environmental advocacy group, said the threat of a lawsuit comes after months of pollution in Monessen, Donora, Monongahela, and Carroll Township, all located in either Westmoreland or Washington counties.
City Council Supports Updates To Noise Control Ordinance
Pittsburgh officers rolling past loud parties and unauthorized construction will be able to cite residents' complaints as part of a new three-strike system with the city's disruption ordinance.
City Council Considers Data Sharing To Locate Stolen Cars
Pittsburgh City Councilman Dan Gilman proposed a resolution Tuesday that would create a data sharing system between the city and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to assist authorities in tracking down stolen or wanted vehicles. “Right now our ticket enforcement officers could walk down the street, enter a license plate at a meter, write a parking ticket, and that car could either be stolen or wanted as part of an Amber Alert and they would have no idea,” he said.
State Rep. Continues Calls For Impeachment Of PA Attorney General
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) re-introduced a House resolution to impeach PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane “due to the pattern of misbehavior that we have seen in office for the last two years,” he said. Metcalfe first introduced the measure in 2013 after she chose not to defend the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s now-nullified Defense of Marriage Act. He withdrew it after not getting support from the House State Government Committee before the 2013-14 legislative session ended.
Regatta At Lake Arthur Offers 'Eco-Recreational' Weekend
Everyone from international disc golfers to world-class puddle duck racers to southwestern Pennsylvanian families will come together at this weekend’s Regatta at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. The regatta, now in its 17th year, is a “two-day outdoor celebration of Moraine State Park,” according to event director Holly Muchnok. She said many people feel the Butler County park is underused, so the event is a way to showcase all Moraine has to offer year-round to park-goers.
Defense Department Renews Contract With CMU
The U.S. Department of Defense extended its secure software system contract with Carnegie Mellon University researchers for the the next five years, officials announced Tuesday. “[The contract] endorses the fact that over the last 30-plus years, we have made some major contributions and major impact for the Department of Defense in the area of software engineering and cybersecurity,” said Robert Behler, deputy director and chief operation officer of CMU’s Software Engineering Institute.
Pittsburgh Restaurants Serving Up Sustainability
Pittsburgh restaurant owners, chefs and farmers have teamed with Sustainable Pittsburgh to launch the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant program, which recognizes southwestern PA restaurants for their efforts in operating energy efficient and socially responsible establishments, especially as the city’s eateries garner increasing national attention.
Bill Of Rights Proposed For People With Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act marks its 25th anniversary this month, and a Pennsylvania lawmaker says a bill of rights for those with disabilities is “long overdue.” Legislation filed by State Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery, Philadelphia) would institute a bill of rights, promising people with disabilities the necessary support to live as independently and actively within their communities as possible, including making their own decisions on living arrangements and other support services.
City Council Holds Paid Sick Days Act
Pittsburgh City Council voted on Wednesday to hold the Paid Sick Days Act for one week so the bill can be amended and council can hold a public hearing July 30. Councilman Corey O’Connor of Squirrel Hill agreed to amend his own bill. In it's original form, the bill required businesses with 15 or more employees allow workers to accrue up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per year, and those with less than 15 employees up to 40 hours of leave.
Johnstown Ice Rink Sees Improvements After Contest Win
Much needed improvements to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown will soon be underway, thanks to the town’s recently acquired title of Kraft Hockeyville USA. Johnstown knocked out Decatur, Ill., in the final round in May to win the contest’s inaugural title. The prize includes the opportunity to host an NHL preseason hockey game at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, as well as $150,000 in rink updates.
PA Turnpike Commission Approves Eighth Year Of Toll Hikes
Effective 12:01 a.m. Jan. 3, 2016, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will begin its eighth consecutive year for toll hikes. The commission approved a 6 percent toll increase for both EZPass and cash customers on Tuesday. Officials said EZPass users will continue to save about 35 percent on tolls despite the jump. “Our average toll for our EZPass customers will go from $1.09 to $1.16, and for our cash customers it’ll go from $1.70 to $1.85,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton.
State Rep. Calls For Study On School District Consolidations
School district consolidation is the key to many of Pennsylvania’s education problems, according to State Rep. Timothy S. Mahoney (D-Fayette/Somerset). Mahoney recently proposed legislation requesting a statewide study of schools that would examine the possibility of merging Pennsylvania school districts into individual county administrations. The proposition stems from Mahoney’s study in 2011 that examined the effects of a potential merger of Fayette County school districts.
Lawmakers Consider Increased Alternative Fuel Service Along Nation's Highways
The not-yet-approved Clean Vehicle Corridors Act is the most recent of the many federal and state efforts to push for the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the United States. On June 22, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) re-introduced his bill, first introduced in 2013, which would allow the Department of Transportation to establish clean vehicle corridors along interstates nationwide.
Allegheny County Tops State In Asbestos-Related Deaths
More Allegheny County residents die from asbestos-related illnesses than any other county in the state, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group Action Fund. Researchers found that between 1999 and 2013, at least 189,000 Americans died from asbestos-related diseases, including 14,216 in Pennsylvania and 1,616 in Allegheny County alone. The county’s average death rate was nearly double the national average, authors said.
Garfield Director Honored For Repairing Hearts And Homes
Michael Stanton was named June’s Champion of Greater Pittsburgh by the Dignity and Respect Campaign, which honors those “that embrace, embody, and demonstrate the values of dignity and respect.” He was honored for his work as co-founder and executive director with Open Hand Ministries.
PA Turnpike Considers Removing Call Boxes
The nearly 1,000 bright yellow emergency call boxes along the Pennsylvania Turnpike could disappear soon, thanks to the prodigious growth of cell phones and House Bill 1335. State Rep. John Lawrence’s (R-Chester) bill would amend state law, which currently requires the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to provide and maintain emergency call boxes for turnpike drivers. The amendment, if passed, would eliminate this requirement.
Laurel Mountain Ski Resort Aims For 2016 Open
After years of waiting, avid skiers in western Pennsylvania may finally see their wishes come true. The Laurel Mountain Ski Resort will finally reopen in 2016. Terry Brady, deputy press secretary for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the bidding process for Laurel Mountain’s $6.5 million renovation project will begin in the next 2-3 weeks, after which construction is set to begin this fall. If all goes according to plan, the DCNR aims to have it complete by fall 2016.
Carnegie Mellon's CHIMP Looking Good For Upcoming Competition
He can turn a wheel, pick up blocks, maneuver stairs and drive a car. He's also a 5-foot tall, 443-pound robotic monkey. CHIMP, an acronym for CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform, was developed by the Tartan Rescue Team, a group of engineers, researchers and technicians within CMU’s National Robotics Engineering Center. The team will compete next month for a $2 million first prize in the DARPA Robotics Challenge, or DRC, in Pomona, Calif. against two dozen others.
Predict Your Prospective Apartment Costs Using New CMU Technology
Your search for an apartment just got a lot more thorough. A new, free service designed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University aims to help people find a rental property by estimating the utility costs based on the unit itself and also the renter’s personal habits and lifestyle.
Iggy Azalea Sparks Controversy In Pittsburgh's LGBTQ Community
Iggy Azalea is coming to perform in Pittsburgh for the first time, and some people are not happy about it. Last Friday, the Delta Foundation, the organization behind Pittsburgh Pride, announced that the rapper and songwriter will headline its Pride in the Street event on June 13. Since the announcement, they’ve received heavy push back from the LGBTQ community in Pittsburgh, some of whom accuse Azalea of racism, homophobia, cultural appropriation and plagiarism.
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