ECONOMY BULLETIN | Free immigration advice, Flexible Working Legislation for Business, Resources for menopause and menstrual health in the workplace

Free immigration advice to Scottish employers and inward investors

Scotland’s Migration Service recently launched to help employers and investors navigate the UK immigration system.

The service provides support to employers to help meet skills and labour needs, and to investors seeking immigration or legal advice on setting up a business in Scotland. The service is open to:
- Scottish-based employers seeking to recruit talent to Scotland.
- Inward investors wanting to set up a business in Scotland.
- Overseas businesses seeking to expand in Scotland.

Through the service, businesses, employers and investors can access a free one to one advice appointment with a qualified immigration adviser from the law firm Seraphus. Appointments can be booked here.

More information on the service can be found here and any queries can be sent to migrationservice@gov.scot.

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Flexible Working Legislation for Business

New UK Government legislation on Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 has come into force.

Key changes include:
- From day one of employment, employees have the statutory right to request a change to their terms and conditions relating to hours, times or place of work.
- Employees can now make two flexible working requests in a 12-month period.
- Employers are now required to make a decision within two months of receiving a request.
- Employers will be required to consult with their staff before rejecting a flexible working request based on one of the eight business reasons.

An Employer code of practice to accompany the new law is available, as is more information on how flexible working can benefit businesses. Information on trends and benefits of flexible working in Scotland can also be found on the Flexibility Works website.

Resources for business to support employees to manage menopause and menstrual health in the workplace

A Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy has been developed for NHS Scotland.

Businesses can use it as an example of good practice and adapt it to suit their needs.
Having effective support in place for those experiencing menopausal or menstrual symptoms can help to improve team morale, retain valuable skills and talent, address inequalities and reduce sickness absence.

More information, including a line managers guide and a workplace adjustments guide, can be found on The National Wellbeing Hub.

Read the full bulletin here