Help - Laws on employing family members

[di30]

Does anyone know how the law works for employing family members please?

My hubby was one of those laid off a week ago, he almost had a chance of getting back into one of his old jobs in a local manufacturing company, as my brother in law is 2nd in command in office, there has been a stinking fuss of that business known for taking on who you know or family members.

In my hubby's case he is trained and experience, and its been told that they wanted 3, they now have my hubby on hold and continuing to take on the other 2.

The company although based in the UK, is owned by America, so not sure of rules etc.......

However, I wouldnt class my hubby as blood or immediate related to my bro in law, my bro in law is married to my sister on my side of the family.

We understand there are rules like not to favouritise etc, and this was never the case before so why now!!

I am so upset by all this, we are left like puppet on a string, my hubby would be working on shop floor and my inlaw in office!!

Any help please, thanks in advance.

[Pixie]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

I don't know Di but I didn't think there were any laws on employing family members.

I'm sure we all know of cases where it's "who you know not what you know."

I hope you get it sorted and your husband has a job x

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Thank you Pixie and yes you are right.

The company is a very large business and owned now by americans, apparentely the latest is that HR dept in the local business where hubby applied for and worked for many years before are supposed to be waiting for feedback from them, its said there is a clause somewhere about employing family members, but if that is the case I assumed this would be for immediate family not inlaws as such which is not even my hubby's side, the manager my bro in law is married to my sister.

Strange there was never these issues before when my hubby worked for the company. I was informed its something to do with that the Americans do not like it if its anything to do with the management taking in family members, again my bro in law is office based and if my hubby returned there, he would be going back to his old trained job, sad it really is X

[oscar]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Not sure myself Di, but the fat it is American owned makes little difference - still have to abide by UK law, be it Financial, Employment Law or otherwise.

(MBNA have tried that trick many times)

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Thank you Oscar, that is what I thought.

The fact that my hubby is now out of work he is available and was told last week he is successful, but just waiting for the go ahead, they had made contact with another 2 that were already working elsewhere who start tomorrow, my hubby was originally one of the 3 to be taken on, but we are also aware they will be training the 2 they are taking on and yet my hubby is fully trained, he couldnt be more skilled for that job, and he also had excellent references from them before.

Its still going through, but will be good to know if its a defo yes or no, he would have otherwise be starting tomorrow x

[cymruambyth]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Send TastyJane a PM , she's our HR specialist.
I'm sorry to say that if they decide against your husband they will probably say that someone better came along

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Thank you Cym, oh yes I will do that and yes your probably right, thanks my lovely x x

[tastyjane]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Morning, Di had they actually offered your husband the job formally (ie written offer letter)? I have never actually seen a policy that states that family members wont be employed but have worked with many company's that have an informal understanding if you know what I mean. Where I work it would very much depend on if any of the family members would be supervising/managing the other family member - if so then it would be a complete no no. However, if there was no connection and we needed the skill set we would probably be more likely to take someone on. (I have to say though it would still concern me slightly just from past experiences of fall outs in the workplace).

I'm really sorry that I cannot be more help but in all honesty unless he was given a formal letter of appointment then it would be very hard to prove any discrimination - annoying but the sad truth

Jane x

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Thank you so much Jane your a star.
I have messaged you back with a personal link if thats ok by you, much thanks again, they are still considering but we may not hear until Monday now, fingers crossed Xx

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

The frustrating thing about it is that he worked there for some years before, he heard from 2 of his mates that had returned there today too, my hubby was one of the 3.

[IF]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

I am sorry Di and I have my fingers crossed your DH hears good news on Monday

[tastyjane]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Di, just picked up your PM and read the PDF you provided - hopefully reading that there should be no issues at all - now we just have to hope that their own UK HR department has taken the time to read their own company's policy I have replied to you directly.

Jane x

[SXGuy]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

From my point of view, the only things I know of, where employing your family member is a problem, is if for example, you own a ltd company, and you employ your spouse to try and offset income to avoid things like IR35 additional national insurance contributions on dividends.

[di30]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Thank you everyone and TastyJane for looking into this.

My hubby returns to his job there tomorrow!!!! Happy Days!!!!!!

[Pixie]

Re: Help - Laws on employing family members

Great news!