News & insights
Unfair 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 […]
Read MoreAcas updates its guidance on holiday, sickness and leave
Acas has provided new guidance for employers and employees on managing holiday entitlement, sickness absence and other leave. The holiday and sickness absence sections include: Checking holiday entitlement. Checking sick pay. Fit notes and proof of sickness. Getting a doctor’s report about an employee’s health. Covid: advice for employers and employees. There is also updated […]
Read MoreDo you have to meet with an employee to dismiss?
It is usual, during disciplinary proceedings, to arrange a disciplinary hearing so an employee has the opportunity to make representations on their case. However, is it reasonable to dismiss based on a paper consideration and in the absence of a hearing? The case of Charalambous v National Bank of Greece considered this issue. Ms Charalambous […]
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