As Hong Kong regains some normalcy and learns to live with COVID, more companies are calling employees back to the offices to work full-time. However, employees’ expectations, priorities and values have changed, and an increasing number of the workforce want more support, increased flexibility, remote working and focus on wellness. As an employer, how can
Matthew Durham and Kritika Sethia Write Article on Employee Wellness for BritCham’s Magazine
Matthew Durham and Kritika Sethia have written an article on employee wellness in the workplace for BritCham’s magazine where they explore the WHO’s definition of health and how Hong Kong lacks a comprehensive or holistic legal framework to address mental health issues in the workplace. They also provide practical steps and initiatives for employers to promote mental wellness.
Hong Kong Government Updates Discharge Criteria for Confirmed COVID-19 Patients: What Does This Mean for Employers?
The Hong Kong Government announced that effective from 27 October 2021, the discharge criteria for confirmed Covid-19 patients will be tightened. They have taken the position that patients who have recovered from the virus may still be carriers for approximately 14 days. Accordingly, to prevent the spread of the virus, after being discharged from hospital, patients will be subject to a further 14 day period of isolation and health monitoring in a government isolation facility (North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre).
Working from Home (WFH)
Employees working from home (WFH) for certain periods of time has become a common reality. Here are three things you may not have known about WFH.
Matthew Durham and Kritika Sethia Write Article on Vaccines and the Workplace for HR Magazine
Registered Foreign Lawyer Matthew Durham and Legal Analyst Kritika Sethia have written an article for HR Magazine on vaccines and the workplace, exploring whether employers can require mandatory vaccination, if there are ways to encourage employees to get vaccinated, and if employers can monitor which staff have been vaccinated.
COVID-19: Does the pandemic classify as a Barder event?
Upon divorce, the Hong Kong Court has the power to make orders for financial provision between spouses. In making such orders, the Court has a duty to consider various matters which are set out in Section 7(1) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance, Cap. 192 (“MPPO”) including the parties’ financial resources and all the other relevant circumstances of the case.
Gall Contributes Article on Remote Hearings to Lexis Nexis’ “The New Normal Guide 2020”
Gall has contributed an article on Remote Hearings in Hong Kong’s High Court During COVID-19 to Lexis Nexis’ “The New Normal Guide 2020”. In the article, Nick Gall, Felda Yeung and Kritika Sethia explore the use of technology in court proceedings, including key considerations and challenges.
COVID-19 Scams – What to do if you are defrauded
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have seen an overwhelming demand worldwide for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes respirators, surgical masks, gloves and face shields. Regrettably, unscrupulous traders never miss an opportunity to capitalise on public fears and concerns. Amid these difficult times, there has been a surge of fraud schemes associated with PPE transactions all around the globe. In Hong Kong, over 1,600 reports of online mask scams were received by the Hong Kong Police between January and March this year, consisting of more than 3,000 individual victims and local companies involving a total of HK$48.2 million. It has also been reported that fraudulent mask schemes totalling US$799 million were uncovered in United States in the last few months, and similar patterns have been observed across the Europe.
The Benefits of Collaborative Law During COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Hong Kong Courts were closed for several months and thousands of court hearings were adjourned during this General Adjourned Period (“GAP”). Although the Family Court has now reopened there are social distancing measures in place which mean that hearings are continuing to be adjourned. We expect this to be the ‘new normal’ for some time to come.
Employment Update: First Tranche of the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) set to Open for Applications
The Government has recently provided more clarity on the Employment Support Scheme (“ESS”) and expanded its scope.
