Coulson paid by NotW while working for Prime Minister
Allegations that former News of the World editor Andy Coulson received two years’ contractual pay from News International while working as the Prime Minister’s communications chief have led to calls for a probe of Conservative election funding. Coulson resigned from the editorship of News of the World in 2007 after the Sunday tabloid’s royal correspondent […]
Legal Insight: Where does long-term sick leave end and annual leave begin?
The boundaries between annual leave and sick leave and where they lie has been a growing issue in both the courts and employment tribunals over the last couple of years, points out Harriet Broughton, a solicitor at Bevans. The problem arises because the Working Time Regulations 1998 state that annual leave “may only be taken […]
Ask the Expert: How to stop a one-off lease car perk becoming a given?
The Question We have a lease car sitting in the car park as the employee left after only six month’s service and will not be replaced. I suggested using it as a pool car till the lease comes to an end but the MD wants to give it to one particular member of staff. […]
Blog: Got sick while on holiday?
After months of hard work you finally booked a few days off to enjoy the gorgeous (?) British summer weather. But, a day before taking your long awaited break you got really ill and had to spend all of your holiday in bed. Ouch! The good news is that you are entitled to take sickness […]
Employers must “challenge status quo” for women to reach the top
Employers need to challenge the status quo and revamp out-moded working patterns if they are to give women as much chance as men of getting to the top, according to experts. A report published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission entitled ‘Sex & Power 2011’ earlier this week revealed that, at current rates of […]
Tribunal hears first UK caste-based discrimination claim
In the first case of its kind in the UK, an Indian couple is claiming unfair constructive dismissal from their legal jobs due to caste-based discrimination. Because of the precedent-setting nature of the lawsuit, Home Secretary Theresa May is believed to be watching the case carefully and considering whether to add a section covering caste […]
The value of on-the-job assessments when managing older workers
Although Employment Minster Ed Davey hailed the abolition of the Default Retirement Age as ‘great news for older people, businesses and the economy’, not everyone agrees. As Mary Clarke, chief executive of Cognisco points outs, some business leaders and lobby groups have voiced concerns that businesses may be saddled with an ageing and incompetent workforce, […]
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 […]