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Coming out of the
mental health closet,
24 March
Hiding a mental health
problem will only make it
worse in the long run, so don’t
leave it too late to ‘come out’
about it.
Very powerful article and good
advice – I would recommend
having some ‘protection’ before
speaking to your line manager. If
you want to get the protection of
the Equality Act, you may find it
helpful to get some evidence from
your GP or another medical
professional before you approach
your line manager. You can ask
them to write a letter saying
whether they think you have a
disability under the Equality Act.
It would be particularly useful
if they can give their opinion on
these three questions. 1. Do I
have a mental or physical health
impairment? 2. Is it long term –
lasting more than 12 months or
likely to do so? 3. Does it have a
more than minor adverse effect
on my day-to-day living if I
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Freelancers are frustrated the government i is not supporting them
discount my treatment or
medication? If you answered
yes to all three questions then
your mental health problem
could get the protection of the
Equality Act.
In addition it’s worth
mentioning employers have a
duty of care under the H&S Act
to protect and promote the
health, safety and wellbeing of
their employees. I don’t want to
seem too heavy or legalistic,
however we all know the stigma
of mental health still exists.
Philip Addison
Freelancers need more
support during
COVID-19 outbreak,
24 March
Freelancers have criticised
the UK government saying that
its latest Coronavirus wage
support package will not offer
them suffi cient fi nancial aid.
Limited companies and
microbusinesses can save to
cover times like this. My
concern focuses on low-paid
self-employed people or gig
freelancers, whose work pipeline
fluctuates at the best of times
and might not be so lucky.
Interims like me were
struggling because of the
now-postponed IR35 and now
this. We need to offer each
other as much support as we
can with tips, work leads,
personal conversations and
anything else we can do to get
each other through.
Sharon Green
I think it’s a disgrace that you
try to be self-sufficient and be
self-employed and somehow
you get penalised. Like other
freelancers I have no wage
whatsoever coming in, but I have
outstanding invoices. So it’s a bit
of a pickle.
More pressure should be
put on to the government to
provide us with the same rights
as employees in terms of
payment over the last three years.
Easton Wilson
@resetnotinset
Does anyone have a great
idea for job titles for their
admin team? My team are so
much more
@JobLookupUK
Remote working is not just
about productivity – it tends to
increase employee happiness
and loyalty as well
Follow us on Twitter: @hrmagazine
@SteelJMelanie
#freelancers #hrconsultant #contractors #selfemployed all
need to be supported during this difficult time
@AitchAre1
Make sure you build in ‘me time’ just to get up and about and
clear the mind. Preferably go for a walk, while we are still able to
@DrZofia
We have a virtual coffee break in our calendar to ‘socialise’
with colleagues... important to keep in touch
18 HR April 2020 hrmagazine.co.uk
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