‘Massive increase in Court Fees to prevent access to justice?’
James Taylor of Bevans Solicitors discusses access to justice. Job satisfaction for Solicitors lies in many areas, but for me, providing access to a civilised system of dispute resolution is high on the list. When I hear tales of the Italian mafia or read of the lawlessness in places like Iraq, I realise what an […]
Bosses fear working time opt-out removal
Employers are keen to hang onto the Working Time Directive opt-out clause; despite embracing new work/life balance initiatives says new research. IRS Employment Review, publishers of the research released today, surveyed 77 organisations covering more than 70,000 people to establish how UK employers organise working hours and their views on the Working Time Directive and […]
Case law: Psychiatric injury and discrimination law
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that an employee can recover compensation for psychiatric injury resulting from an employer's act of race discrimination, even where the employee's reaction is unforeseeable and extreme. Jacqueline McCluskey, Senior Associate at Dundas & Wilson summarises the case and what this means in practice for employers. The Court of […]
Any Answers questions on employment law
To tie in with the launch of HR Zone's new employment law zone, we've highlighted a selection of useful employment law questions that have been answered in the Any Answers area of the site. Does anyone know if equal pay law covers two people doing exactly the same job in different NHS trusts?Helen MathewsRead the […]
Expectant mothers still experience pregnancy discrimination at work
Pregnant women still continue to face problems at work, according to survey results released today during National Pregnancy Week. The survey, which questioned 1200 people, revealed that over a fifth knew an expectant mother who had experienced difficulties at work because of her pregnancy – rising to a third amongst women aged 25-34. Experiences included […]
Online consultation on statutory dispute resolution
The Government has produced a full consultation paper which can be completed online on statutory dispute resolution It should take no more than half an hour to complete in full, but the online consultation has been designed to use even if you can only spare a few minutes. Consultation closes on 29 October 2003. The DTI […]
How dangerous is your work?
Driving a company car while at work nearly tops the league of the most dangerous jobs in Britain claims a leading independent road safety organisation, The Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM). People who have to drive as part of their employment, covering more than 25,000 miles per year, have as dangerous a working environment as […]
Book review: Understanding TUPE: a legal guide
Title: Understanding TUPE – A Legal GuideAuthor: Stephen HardyPublisher: Chandos Publishing 2001ISBN: 190237567X Buy this book from the TrainingZONE – Blackwells bookshop. I think this must be an essential reference book for anyone dealing with what can be a very complex issue. It provides an overview of the law relating to the transfer of undertakings. […]
Absence/ Sickness/ Leave
Can anyone give me some guidelines (for Managers) their company uses for sickness/Absence and Leave. Angela Coleman
Compensation awards for discrimination reach record levels
A survey by IRS Equal Opportunities Review has found that compensation payments in 2000 rose to nearly £4 million. The survey included all 316 discrimination cases where an award was made. These included one payment of £100,000 for Injury to Feelings, in the case Virdi v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (including £25,000 for […]
Corporate manslaughter verdict
"Companies which flout health and safety laws at the expense of their employees' safety will be made to pay." That is the message sent out to the construction industry today as Wisbech company English Brothers Ltd. was convicted of causing the death of gang-foreman Bill Larkman. The company was fined £30,000 plus £12,500 costs after […]
CBI rejects TUC claim over EU redundancy protection
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has rejected claims from the Trades Union Congress (TUC)that a proposed EU directive would improve consultation over redundancies. John Cridland, Deputy Director-General, said, "Companies need and want to consult staff over redundancies. What's more, they have to under British law or they face stiff penalties. "The proposed EU directive […]
Government Race Relations Consultation
An invitation to help shape the implementation of new race equality legislation was issued to public bodies and others by Home Secretary Jack Straw today as he launched a consultation document on the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The provisions in the 2000 Act, which outlaws race discrimination in public functions not previously covered by […]
Disproportionate job losses among disabled people
One in three disabled people find themselves out of work within a year of starting a new job – while one in six people in work who become ‘limited in daily activities’ lose their jobs within a year. These new statistics, derived from official survey data, highlight the need for a different approach to tackling […]
Use of ACAS is on the rise
More people than ever before are ringing the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) through their Public Enquiry Points (up 40 per cent to 715,000), working with ACAS to resolve complaints to Employment Tribunals (up 32 per cent), and attending ACAS seminars and workshops (over 550 events in 99/00). The report highlights the biggest ever […]
CBI makes another plea for Employment Tribunal reform
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) renewed its plea for reform of Employment Tribunals following news that applications rose 32 per cent in a year. It wants the government to help Employment Tribunals (ETs) handle the rise by ensuring that full hearings only take place when there is no reasonable alternative. It says ETs should […]
Working Time Directive – CIPD Publication
A new CIPD publication, 'Working Time Regulations' is being launched today, Wednesday 25 October 2000, at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) National Conference in Harrogate, the second edition of this guide provides up-to-the-minute answers to those most frequently asked questions about application of the working time directive. Questions such as 'Is it […]
The £400,000 insurance case
Further details of the legal case of the Hull widow seeking an insurance payout of £400,000 following the death of her husband is reported in a Telegraph article today. The husband was found to be having an affair after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. The insurance company are claiming that there are strong […]
Head of Disability Rights prevented from flying because he cannot walk
Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, Bert Massie, was yesterday prevented from speaking at an Edinburgh social services conference. Mr Massie was refused access to his pre-booked flight with ScotAirways because he could not walk onto his plane. Mr Massey, who is a wheelchair user, is unable to walk due to polio. The incident occurred […]
The TUC on the Employment Framework Directive
The TUC has welcomed a new European law which within six years will make it illegal for most UK employers to discriminate against employees because of their age, sexual orientation, religion or any disability they may have. The TUC congratulates the government on its positive contribution to getting the new Directive through. But the TUC […]
