Personnel

Bereavement leave and miscarriages

Posted on February 13th, 2025

A report by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) calls for new employment laws to include bereavement leave for those who miscarry during pregnancy. Currently, bereavement leave is only granted for pregnancy losses that occur after 24 weeks. However, the report highlights that: ‘The physical and emotional impacts of pregnancy loss … […]

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Personnel

Cleaner with significant and high levels of sickness absence wins nearly £50,000 for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination

Posted on February 3rd, 2025

In the case of Ms Zoe Kitching v University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, the employment tribunal (ET) examined the circumstances surrounding Ms Kitching’s dismissal from her role as a cleaner at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Ms Kitching, described as a ‘good worker’, had been employed since September 2018. She faced significant mental health […]

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Personnel

Self-employed or employee? Claimant wins preliminary hearing proving employee status despite contracts stating otherwise

Posted on January 29th, 2025

In the case of Ms M Williams v City Academy Arts, the employment tribunal (ET) addressed preliminary issues concerning the employment status of Ms Williams and whether she was disabled, by reason of her ADHD (combined with symptoms of anxiety and depression), under the Equality Act 2010. Here we focus on the employment status aspect of […]

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Personnel

Neonatal leave and pay

Posted on January 27th, 2025

The government has confirmed that from April 2025, parents with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time-off as a day-one right. This follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023. The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (Commencement No.2) Regulations 2025 have been laid before Parliament and, subject to approval, […]

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Personnel

Use of AI in recruitment

Posted on January 15th, 2025

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) understands that using AI in the recruitment process can be beneficial to employers. However, the use of AI can also lead to issues relating to privacy and information rights. It carried out an audit to monitor the use of AI and to look at how AI tools comply with data […]

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Personnel

Irretrievable breakdown in relationship

Posted on January 10th, 2025

The case of Ms Anne-Marie Alexis v Westminster Drug Project examines whether length of service, or alternatives to dismissal, are relevant in a case where trust and confidence has already irretrievably broken down between the parties. Background Ms Alexis was employed as a receptionist/administrator at the Westminster Drug Project. Ms Alexis’s employer was aware that […]

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Personnel

Safeguarding lead’s claims not upheld at tribunal

Posted on December 18th, 2024

In the case of Lisa Chamberlain v Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust, the employment tribunal (ET) considered claims of disability discrimination, breach of contract and constructive dismissal. Background Ms Chamberlain, a former police officer, joined the trust in May 2023 as deputy designated safeguarding lead, supporting Gaynor Davy, the designated safeguarding lead. Ms Chamberlain had left […]

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Personnel

Inquiry into paternity and shared parental leave by the Women and Equalities Committee

Posted on December 16th, 2024

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) states that the unequal division of childcaring responsibilities is a key driver of wider gender inequality and the gender pay gap. It is looking at options for reform of the statutory shared parental leave scheme and statutory paternity rights. The aim is to identify the most […]

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Personnel

Statutory benefit rate increases from April 2025

Posted on November 27th, 2024

The Department for Work and Pensions has published planned statutory benefit rate increases from April 2025 as follows: Statutory sick pay (SSP) will be £118.75 (up from £116.75). Statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay, statutory shared parental pay, statutory parental bereavement pay will be £187.18 (up from £184.03). The lower […]

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Personnel

Employment Rights Bill – consultations

Posted on November 26th, 2024

The Government has launched four consultations on some of its key proposals on workplace rights and protections under the Employment Rights Bill. Consultation on legislative framework for industrial relations (closes 2 December 2024) – Consultation on creating a modern framework for industrial relations. Consultation on preventing abuse of rules on collective redundancy consultation and fire and rehire […]

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