News & insights
If a role still exists, is it a genuine redundancy?
This was the question the employment tribunal (ET) was asked to consider in the case of Mrs G Spoor v The Governing Body of St Andrew’s CE High School. Mrs Spoor began working at the school in January 2000, carrying out a number of roles. In May 2018, she was formally offered the role of SENCO. In […]
Read MoreHarpur Trust v Brazel – case analysis and advice to schools on the calculations of holiday pay
As we have previously reported, the Harpur Trust case (Harpur Trust v Brazel) was an appeal to the supreme court of a case regarding the calculation for holiday pay for part-year workers such as term time only (TTO) workers. The supreme court has now agreed with the lower courts determinations in this case that the […]
Read MoreAsking and answering questions about discrimination at work
Acas has published new guidance on asking and answering questions about discrimination at work. As well as setting out steps for employees on the types of questions they should ask their employer, the guidance explains how employers should consider and respond to employees’ questions concerning workplace discrimination. The guidance also contains examples of good practice. […]
Read MoreHoliday pay for term time workers
The supreme court has upheld the decision of the employment appeal tribunal and court of appeal ruling in Harpur Trust v Brazel that holiday pay for part-year workers should be calculated using the averaging method over a period of 52 weeks, ignoring any weeks that have not been worked. Background By way of background, Mrs […]
Read MoreNeonatal care bill
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, which was brought as a private members bill, received government backing in its second reading earlier this month. The bill will allow parents whose babies require hospital neonatal care to take 12 weeks’ paid leave in addition to their statutory maternity or paternity leave. In summary, the bill […]
Read MoreOfsted inspection handbooks September 2022
This summary gives the main changes to the Ofsted Schools Inspection Handbook, which are effective from 1 September 2022. It refers to the handbook for the inspection of schools. The layout of the handbook has been somewhat realigned so that it better follows and reflects the flow of an inspection from start to finish. On 11 July […]
Read MoreDfE school governance update – July 2022
This update sets out the DfE’s long-term vision for the English school system. This vision is an ambition that by 2030 every child will receive ‘the right support, in the right place, and at the right time’ in order to fulfil their potential, founded on achieving world class literacy and numeracy. Schools White Paper – […]
Read MoreNew legislation to allow more health professionals to certify fit notes
In order to ease the pressure on doctors and GPs, the government has brought in legislation to allow a wider range of healthcare professionals to certify fit notes. The change is effective from 1 July 2022 and will allow nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists to certify and issue fit notes. As well as easing pressure on […]
Read MoreApplication of the Acas code on disciplinary and grievance procedures
In the case of Rentplus UK Limited v Susan Coulson, the employment appeal tribunal (EAT) considered whether the employment tribunal (ET) was correct in finding that Ms Coulson had been unfairly dismissed. It also considered the circumstances in which the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures (the code) applies. Facts of the […]
Read MoreGovernment considering change to right to be accompanied
The Education Secretary is currently examining plans to increase the rights of teachers who choose not to join a union. Consideration is being given to teachers and other education staff being given the right to be accompanied to grievance and disciplinary hearings by an external lawyer or representative of a body other than a union. […]
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