Service Birmingham aims to hire city’s disadvantaged
Service Birmingham claims it is on target to recruit 720 people from "some of the most disadvantaged communities in the city” by 1 April 2013 – 126 of them this year alone. According to our sister site www.publictechnology.net, in sharp contrast to now cancelled plans to offshore staff, the joint venture between the UK’s biggest […]
Blog: Do non-competition clauses work in a social media world?
Social networks have taken the business world by storm. In a few short years, they've become powerful tools for finding customers and strengthening existing relationships. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google + and others have become indispensible for professional networking by employees and businesses alike. They also can be a source of legal trouble if you're not […]
Union ballots Fujitsu’s ICT staff for strike action over pay
The Public and Commercial Services union is balloting 750 ICT staff working on contracts for five major government Departments and agencies for strike action over pay. According to our sister site www.publictechnology.net, the conflict centres on supplier Fujitsu and its outsourcing work for HMRC, Home Office, Ministry of Defence, the Office of National Statistics and […]
The HR Headmistress: On unfair dismissal
Over the last few years, I have found that the practice of dismissal for some other substantial reason (SOSR) has become increasingly useful, says Kate Russell, the HR Headmistress. This catch-all category requires an employer to show that the substantial reason for dismissal was potentially fair and reasonable in the circumstances. There isn’t an […]
Ask the Expert: What to do about excessive sick leave?
The Question We have an employee who works in an independent school nursery, employed since 2005. Extra responsibilities were taken on in 2009, and they are responsible for four staff. This year she has taken 40 days absence, some of it medically certified, some self-certified. During her last absence, her manager phoned to enquire […]
Civil service union takes legal advice after losing redundancy pay battle
A civil service union is taking legal advice after losing a High Court challenge against coalition government moves to reduce workers’ redundancy and early retirement pay-outs. The Public and Commercial Services Union, which has 270,000 members, and the Prison Officers’ Association, which has 35,000, had called for a judicial review of a decision that was […]
UK riots: How to deal with staff disruption
The unrest that has occurred in the UK in the past few days demonstrates just how quickly situations can escalate and how businesses and their employees can be affected. Croner has put together this guidance document for our sister site www.businesszone.co.uk to help businesses concerned with the impact this, or similar situations, may have on […]
Legal Insight: Family-friendly holiday policies create discrimination claim risk
Be warned: don’t be too nice to your employees this summer! Well, we don’t actually mean don’t be nice, but if you have a family-friendly holiday policy, then you could be at risk of discrimination claims. Those well-meaning employers that give first refusal for summer leave to parents could find themselves subject to costly claims […]
Ask the expert: Employer queries ‘fit note’ for work-related depression/stress
The question: Depression/stress at work – employer queries ‘fit note’ A friend is into her 5th continuous week of absence, all supported by GP notes every two weeks, stating ‘stress at work/anxiety’ or ‘depression’. Essentially, what started as a stress at work issue three months ago has caused her lots of stress and she has […]
How is James Murdoch conducting himself?
In light of the News International scandal there is an important question that all organisations should be asking themselves: Is the code of conduct an effective tool that actively helps protect your reputation, or a fig leaf whose shortcomings risk leaving you woefully exposed if things turn tricky? According to James Murdoch’s testimony before the […]
Top director pensions 29 times higher than employees
Top company directors are retiring on pensions that are up to 29 times larger than those of the rest of the workforce, according to the High Pay Commission. Most executives working at FTSE 100 companies draw an average annual pension of about £175,000, while the median pension for employees in a private sector final […]
Ask the expert: Redundancy and re-employment
The question: Redundancy and re-employment "Is there a minimum time after a redundancy that employers can re-advertise for the same post, I’ve seen a lot of conflicting advice some companies wait three months, others six. I’d appreciate any advice please." Legal advice: Esther Smith, partner, Thomas Eggar "Well, the answer generally depends […]
Interns: opportunity or exploitation?
As a trainee solicitor I have done my fair share of unpaid internships and work experience. In fact, many of my friends have had to work for months, one for even a year, for little or no remuneration. This is particularly the case in the media, fashion and TV industries. In many instances interns work […]
Shoesmith wins unfair dismissal appeal case claim
Sharon Shoesmith, the social services boss sacked in the wake of the Baby P scandal could receive more than £1 million in compensation after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal against her unfair dismissal claim. The Department for Education and Shoesmith’s former employer, Haringey Council, had challenged a landmark ruling made by the Court […]
Top of Acas list of things to do: deal with unfair dismissal
While pay remains the single biggest cause of large-scale industrial disputes, unfair dismissal is the most common reason for individuals to use its conciliation services, says arbitration service Acas. Although the number of large, collective disputes rose by 15% last year to 1,054, a huge 91% were either resolved or saw both parties move […]
Constructive dismissal: The usual rules apply to football clubs
There is often a perception that football clubs don’t need to concern themselves with employment law. “Well, football is football isn’t it? Things are different aren’t they?” Falkirk Football Club recently learnt that the answer to that was, definitely not. Richard Santy, employment partner at Shoosmiths and head of its Sports Group, explains why football clubs […]
Categories of working persons – and their rights
With many different categories of working person, each with their own characteristics, it is often difficult to tell who falls into what category. Although it is not always easy to be sure, a person’s entitlement to claim unfair dismissal, the minimum wage or statutory sick pay can often depend on correctly identifying which category a […]
The ‘Cadbury law’ and what it means for HR in takeovers
For those taken aback by the behaviours seen in the Kraft takeover of Cadbury, the current draft of the amendments to the Takeover Code suggests that some of the lessons have been learned. Clearly the introduction of these amendments won’t prevent takeovers – hostile or otherwise – and possible job losses in the acquired company, […]
Consultation on modern workplaces
The “Consultation on Modern Workplaces” launched by the Government in May 2011 proposes radical changes for 2015 to maternity and parental leave, which could create a huge administrative burden on employers, and shifts the focus of diversity measures away from women, toward equal treatment for both parents, plus additional paid leave. Employers don’t need to […]
HR’s Olympic victory
It's exactly one year to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Employers should not underestimate the impact the Games will have on their business but those who plan well will earn some easy employee relations points and save management time otherwise spent in disciplinary meetings or even at the employment tribunal! Start planning Early […]