Coronavirus: Legal Update for Employers (12 March 2020)
While companies globally are being impacted by the COVID-19 ‘coronavirus’ outbreak in terms of their supply chains, many UK employers will be wondering what to do with their workforce in the event of an outbreak or suspected outbreak. During a pandemic, employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees. However, […]
Coronavirus: Legal Update for Employers (5 March 2020)
While companies globally are being impacted by the COVID-19 ‘coronavirus’ outbreak in terms of their supply chains, many UK employers will be wondering what to do with their workforce in the event of an outbreak or suspected outbreak. In the event of a pandemic, employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of […]
Coronavirus Employment Law Advice for Employers
While companies globally are being impacted by the COVID-19 ‘coronavirus’ outbreak in terms of their supply chains, many UK employers will be wondering what to do with their workforce in the event of an outbreak or suspected outbreak. As of 9am on 2 March, a total of 13,525 people have been tested for COVID-19 in […]
‘Landmark’ Back Pay Case Could Mean £400 Million For Carers
The Supreme Court has been asked to decide a point about workers’ pay that stands to be of huge significance to carers in the UK. This stems from two conjoined cases: Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson Blake, and John Shannon v Rampersad and another (trading as Clifton House Residential Care Home). Neill Thomas, Head of […]
Introduction of Paid Parental Bereavement Leave
Around 7,500 child deaths occur in the UK every year. At present, UK employers are not legally required to provide paid leave for grieving parents. From 6 April 2020, working parents who lose a child under the age of 18 will be entitled to two weeks’ paid bereavement leave. The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) […]
Veganism and Equality
Veganuary was boosted this year by the wave of press coverage around vegans’ ‘newly acquired’ Equality Act protection. Mr Casamitjana had been dismissed by his employer, The League Against Cruel Sports. He brought various claims, including for discrimination, arguing that dismissal was connected to his ethical veganism. The employer disputed that. It said he was […]
Harassment
While employees are in the thick of Christmas parties, employers are busy reinforcing the usual rules about expected behaviour. Throw alcohol and seasonal exuberance into any scenario and things stand to get over-heated, in one way or another. Harassment will be a particular concern for organisations. The #MeToo movement has sharpened the focus on the […]
Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd
One of the essential elements of a claim for discrimination arising from disability is knowledge. For liability to attach, the employer must have known, or be reasonably expected to have known, about the individual’s disability before subjecting them to the unfavourable treatment. The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has reached an important decision about the timing […]
When Tweets Backfire
Danny Baker described posting that tweet about new royal baby Archie as a ‘stupid unthinking gag’. The post featured a picture of couple, holding a clothed chimpanzee, and the words ‘Royal Baby leaves hospital’. Baker was very swiftly sacked by the BBC in response. This is social media; a friend, yet in many ways a […]
