Best practice: Staying mum at Merrill Lynch
Bank of America Merrill Lynch is spearheading an innovative campaign to help stay-at-home mothers and carers get back into the workplace. The ‘Returning Talent’ programme offers practical advice to people hoping to re-enter the workplace after three or more years caring for their family. It is aiming to attract middle to senior-ranking professionals from […]
Blog: Valentine’s Day and workplace romance
Once again Valentine’s Day is upon us, a day for sweethearts to declare their love for one another and to mark the occasion with a card, flowers and perhaps a meal. A situation that should be applauded you may say, however, it depends on the circumstances of the relationship. When a relationship has been […]
Ask the Expert: can you refuse to interview an unsatisfactory former worker?
Question: Can you refuse to interview an unsatisfactory former worker? What is the legal position if a former employee who had a poor performance/attendance record but left of their own accord rather than having formal action taken against them, applies to work for your company again? I can’t seem to find any guidance relating […]
The Children and Families Bill – 21st century working or HR headache?
Last week the government announced plans for more flexible working arrangements for employee, including shared parental leave, as part of the Children and Families Bill. The government says it wants to “remove the cultural expectation that flexible working only has benefits for parents and carers, allowing individuals to manage their work alongside other commitments”. […]
Blog: how to avoid discrimination in recruiting
It has recently been reported that an African born man is taking Virgin airlines to an employment tribunal for racial discrimination. He alleges that he submitted his detailed CV to Virgin that contained his African name and did not get through the first stage of the recruitment process. However when he then resubmitted […]
Legal: no mass sackings, but check your equality policies in the wake of gay marriage vote
With the gay marriage bill safely voted through the Commons with a massive majority, legal experts have dismissed the HR-centric scaremongering by opponents, but advise a re-examination of existing equality policies. MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by 400 to 175, a majority of 225. Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday’s […]
Gay marriage: will a licence to marry really be a licence to sack?
Tonight MPs in the House of Commons will vote on whether or not to make same sex marriage legal. Despite vocal opposition from some elements in the Conservative party, the vote seems certain to be passed with Labour and Liberal Democrat support. The result will be a landmark one politically and socially. But what should […]
Ask the Expert: Does my job advert fall foul of age discrimination law?
Question: Would the wording on a job advert saying something like "at least five years’ experience required in process flow technology" be discriminatory? I think it might fall foul of age discrimination law as it excludes some people because of their age. Is that correct and, if so, what would be permissible in these […]
News: Catholic Church threatens to sack teachers in gay marriages
With the UK government on track to push through same sex marriage legislation, the Catholic Church has warned that teachers entering what it calls “non-chaste” relationships outside of Church-sanctioned marriage face the sack. The guidance – contained in Christ at the Centre: Why the Church provides Catholic Schools – also says that teachers in Catholic […]
Q&A: another view on holidays and TUPE
Q&A: Can staff claim extra holiday under a TUPE transfer? Question: A group of people transferred to our business under TUPE last month. During the consultation period, we confirmed that we would honour their pre-booked annual leave for the rest of last year, which we have done. But one of the staff has come […]
Blog: What Celebrity Bake Off demonstrates about disability
In aid of Comic Relief last week the BBC aired Celebrity Bake Off where each day four celebrities showed off their baking skills with one celebrity being judged the winner. It has been a highly entertaining programme watching the celebrities struggling with the requirements of delivering signature bakes, a technical challenge and show stopper […]
Ask the Expert: Can staff claim extra holiday under a TUPE transfer?
Question: Can staff claim extra holiday under a TUPE transfer? A group of people transferred to our business under TUPE last month. During the consultation period, we confirmed that we would honour their pre-booked annual leave for the rest of last year, which we have done. But one of the staff has come back to […]
News: Capping unfair dismissal payments is “soundbite politics”
The Government’s announcement that unfair dismissal awards will be capped at a maximum of one year’s salary has met with a mixed response. Martin Patt, associate at law firm Lester Aldridge LLP warned that the announcement appeared to be “soundbite politics”. He pointed out that the average award for a straightforward unfair dismissal claim […]
Blog: The importance of thorough investigation in staff disputes
The recent case of Stuart v London City Airport has highlighted the importance of undertaking a reasonable investigation before an employer takes action. In this case, the employer failed to investigate the conduct of an employee whom the employer considered had stolen goods. The employee was a grounds services agent who entered the duty-free store […]
Ask the Expert: How can I stop being forced out after being bullied?
The question After a difficult start to 2012, I informed my managing director that I thought I was being bullied by three members of staff (I am the site manager). After showing some initial concern, no action was taken against the three individuals. Since then, they have submitted repeated grievances and complaints against me, […]
News: UK’s top gay-friendly employers unveiled
Management consultancy Accenture, housing association Gentoo and the Co-op have been named as the UK’s top three employers respectively for lesbian, gay and bi-sexual staff. Charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2013 rankings also recognised investment bank Goldman Sachs, which won an award for ‘Employee Group Network of the Year’. The Nationwide Building Society was […]
News: EU – Employers ‘must retrain or redeploy redundant staff’
European MPs have approved proposals for medium- and large employers to take responsibility for retraining or redeploying employees that they plan to make redundant. The European Parliament report, which was drawn up by Spanish socialist MEP, Alejandro Cercas, is calling for new regulations that would require organisations employing more than 100 staff in a single […]
News: ECHR religious discrimination ruling could force more legislation
Although the European Court of Human Rights’ landmark ruling on four UK cases of alleged religious discrimination has brought some legal clarity, new legislation may be still be required to illuminate the situation further. The judgement, which was published in Strasbourg today, found in favour of one of the claimants, but the other three all […]
News: What to do when it snows?
After a wet Christmas and mild New Year, a cold snap is hitting the country once more, with temperatures predicted to reach as low as -10 and snow forecast to fall in most areas of the UK. Inevitably, this situation will result in travel disruption and employees who are unable, or unwilling, to get into […]
Blog: Discretion denied – The implications of change to indefinite leave to remain rules
Before launching into this article, we’d like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year! We hope that 2013 brings you all success and thank you for following the Newland Chase blog throughout the last year. As ever, we encourage you to get involved and comment below with your own thoughts and experiences […]
