News & insights
Use of AI in recruitment
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 […]
Read MoreIrretrievable breakdown in relationship
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 […]
Read MoreDates and deadlines
The following are known dates and deadlines for the spring and summer terms of the academic year 2024/25. This list is probably not exhaustive, since the current government is still relatively new and may bring in additional changes of which we are not yet aware. RISE January 2025. The government is set to launch its […]
Read MoreSafeguarding lead’s claims not upheld at tribunal
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 […]
Read MoreInquiry into paternity and shared parental leave by the Women and Equalities Committee
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 […]
Read MoreStatutory benefit rate increases from April 2025
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 […]
Read MoreEmployment Rights Bill – consultations
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 […]
Read MoreAcas – updated guidance on sexual harassment
Acas has updated its guidance on sexual harassment to reflect the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 which came into force from 26 October 2024. The guidance sets out that employers must take steps to prevent sexual harassment in the first place. This includes taking action to assess risks and putting measures in place. To […]
Read MoreStatutory minimum wage rates from 1 April 2025
Labour’s ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ included ensuring that the minimum wage is a real living wage that people can live on. In the recent autumn budget speech, the Chancellor announced the rates of the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) to apply from 1 April 2025. The government has stated that this is the first […]
Read MoreSchool successfully defends claim of disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments
The case below is an example of where the school has successfully defended itself from claims of discrimination arising from disability, failure to make reasonable adjustments and constructive dismissal. Dr Driver v Sherrardswood School Dr Driver was employed as a newly qualified computer science teacher. Her disabilities included autism and Irlen’s Syndrome (a processing disorder […]
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