Equality in the city: Women in charge?

Equalities minister Harriet Harman was recently criticised for suggesting that the Equality Bill could be used to appoint more women to senior positions in the City. Alex Denny and Christabel Oh discuss the issues concerning ‘positive action’, one of the new measures contained in the Bill.   The Equality Bill has been hailed as an important move […]

Ask the expert: Dyslexia and reasonable adjustments

An employee with less than a year’s service was dismissed following an assessment which found she had mild dyslexia. Reasonable adjustments were suggested which the employer disregarded. Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise on whether the employer’s actions were justified. The question   We have an employee, with less than 12 months’ service, who was under-performing and making errors […]

HR tip: Appeal problem

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: I am the manager of a small UK operation of an American conglomerate and my boss is in America. I handle all disciplinary matters including giving warnings and dismissing. But what should […]

Paternity leave plans put on hold

Proposals to let parents share a year of leave to help raise a child have been put on hold by business secretary Lord Mandelson, due to the economic crisis. Despite backing by Equality Minister Harriet Harman, the plans to extend paid maternity leave to 12 months and allow fathers to share up to six months […]

The Equality Bill: HR and employment-related implications

Debra Gers outlines why employers must ensure they are aware of the implications of the Equality Bill, which was published in April, including issues such as gender pay monitoring and positive action. The Equality Bill 2009 was published in April and attracted media interest and, it is fair to say, some controversy too.    The purposes of the Equality […]

HR tip: Termination arrangement for struggling employee

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "One of our long-serving employees is struggling to cope with work. We had no intention of dismissing him but he has said that he would like to leave and would do so […]

Legislation update: Stress at work – ignore at your peril

A recent case has shown that the mere presence of support services is not adequate if an employer wants to avoid being held liable for stress at work. Richard White considers this case further.     The leading case in the area of stress at work is Hatton v Sutherland in which the Court of […]

The drive towards equality in the workplace

Cases involving discrimination on the grounds of age, religion and belief or sexual orientation are on the increase. Pam Loch discusses the opinion as to whether some equality rights are more equal than others. Since 1975 and the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act, there have been many challenges in tribunals and courts which have clarified […]

Ask the expert: Dismissal process with less than one year’s service

An employee, with just five month’s service, is not performing well and the employer wants to dismiss him. Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise on the correct process to follow. The question: If a member of staff has less than one year’s service (only five months in fact), can we dismiss him without following a […]

HR tip: Loss of driving licence for sales staff

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "One of our sales representatives has been banned from driving for six months. Does this mean that we can dismiss him?" HR tip: Not automatically. First make sure that you have the […]

HR tip: Burden of proof

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "We have every reason to believe that an employee has been stealing stock but not absolute proof. Does this prevent us from taking formal disciplinary action against him and sacking him?" HR […]

Start studying: Employment law round-up

From changes to the flexible working laws and statutory holiday allowance increases to amendments to the disciplinary and grievance procedure, April is set to be a busy time. Verity Gough speaks to the experts to find out which key laws HR needs to get its head round.       This spring a series of […]

HR tip: Moonlighting

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "Can we prevent our full-time employees from taking on evening work with other employers, for example taxi driving?" HR tip: Really there are only three common circumstances in which you can impose […]

Overcoming age bias in recruitment

In the current economic climate, both older and younger individuals face even greater difficulties than usual in obtaining or changing jobs. Dianne Bown-Wilson comments on how improvements to the recruitment process might help cut down on age discrimination.  Age discrimination in employee recruitment continues to be rife despite legislation which should by now have resulted […]

HR tip: A problem of discrimination?

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "I have just joined a company to head up manufacturing. One section of the operation involves a group of people working in a hot, noisy, smelly and generally highly unpleasant department, cut […]

Legislation update: Imposing religious views on others at work

In recent weeks there has been more than one story in the news regarding employees who express their religious views whilst at work. Richard White examines a recent case, in which an employee was dismissed for imposing his religious views on service users whilst carrying out his duties.       Chondol v Liverpool City […]

Disability discrimination: Lack of knowledge defence

The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has delivered a new judgment setting out what prior knowledge of a disability an employer should have if they are to be held liable for discrimination. Charles Price explains. Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, the definition of a disability is as follows:“A person has a disability for the […]

HR tip: Following disciplinary procedure

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "With changes in the law approaching, do we still have to follow the discipline procedure?" HR tip: Until the law changes in April you must adhere rigidly to the existing statutory procedures. […]

HR tip: Changing terms of employment after TUPE

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "A month ago a group of employees was transferred to our company under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). We would like to bring their terms and conditions of […]

HR tip: Dealing with a poor performer

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "We have an employee whose performance is well below par. What can we do with him?" HR tip: You should talk to him, explain the performance required, point out the performance he […]