News & insights
Menopause discrimination
The case of Lynskey v Direct Line Insurance Services Ltd highlights the importance of managers being trained and made aware of the complex issues surrounding menopause. Although menopause itself is not a specified disability under the Equality Act 2010, symptoms of menopause can amount to a disability. Brain fog Mrs Lynskey worked for the insurance company […]
Read MoreData sharing for child safeguarding
On 14 September 2023, the Information Commissioner’s Office released new guidance to address concerns about breaching data protection legislation when sharing information to protect at-risk children and young people. The UK Information Commissioner, John Edwards, stated: “My message to people supporting and working with children and young people is clear: if you think a child […]
Read MoreUnfair dismissal – when context can make a difference
The following case Mr C Borg-Neal v Lloyds Banking Group PLC examines how context can make a difference as to whether a dismissal is fair or unfair. Race education training Mr Borg-Neal worked for Lloyds Bank that was rolling out race education training to its employees in 2020. During a race education training event, Mr […]
Read MoreData protection and workers’ health information
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published guidance aimed at employers to help them understand their data protection obligations under data protection law when handling the health information of the people that work for them. The guidance was published on the 31 August 2023 and aims to: Help provide greater regulatory certainty. Protect workers’ data protection rights. […]
Read MoreNew or updated DfE guidance
At the beginning of a new academic year, the following information about new or updated DfE guidance may be useful. This list is probably not exhaustive! We have also included reminders of policies that schools are required to review annually. New statutory guidance and updates Keeping children safe in education has been updated as of […]
Read MoreWorkplace features to ease menstruation and menopause symptoms
Motionspot, a design specialist, has surveyed 2,000 office workers who experience menstruation or menopause and has partnered with the Women in Work Summit to explore and raise the profile of the topic further. Useful features The research highlighted that 48% of respondents lack access to the most useful feature to manage pain and discomfort at […]
Read MoreOccupational health consultation
The government has introduced a package of two consultations about occupational health. The first consultation ‘Occupational health: working better’ seeks views on proposals aimed at increasing employer use of occupational health (OH) services. The second ‘Tax incentives for occupational health’ is aimed at employers and explores the role of tax incentives in boosting occupational health provisions […]
Read MoreFailing to make reasonable adjustments in an application process
In the recent appeal case of AECOM Ltd v Mr Mallon, the employment appeal tribunal (EAT) upheld the earlier employment tribunal (ET) decision that a failure to make reasonable adjustments to the company’s application process amounted to disability discrimination. Online form – a PCP AECOM Ltd required job applicants to submit an online form which […]
Read MoreEmployment tribunal awards former employee £357,000 in harassment claim
In the case of Ms E Tahir v National Grid UK Ltd, the Ms Tahir brought forward complaints of wrongful constructive dismissal, as well as harassment and victimisation under the Equality Act. In response, National Grid UK Ltd conceded liability, and a remedy hearing was scheduled to determine the compensation amount. Facts of the case […]
Read MorePersistent lateness
With the ongoing train strikes, it is likely that some schools are experiencing problems with employees being late for work on an occasional or frequent basis. A rare or odd occasion of lateness can be acceptable, particularly where the employee has a valid reason for being late, such as childcare issues or their train being […]
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