Employers are being urged to draw up comprehensive policies to protect their employees from harassment in the workplace. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) says the policies should cover everything from physical intimidation to office banter and jokes. Commission chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath has written an open letter to employers reminding them that “their
TV presenter Samira Ahmed’s equal pay victory against the BBC could lead to an increase in similar claims by employees in other industries. The publicity generated by the case has highlighted that pay inequality still exists and that employees can take legal action against it and win. Ahmed claimed that her work presenting the Newswatch
Parents who suffer the loss of a child will be entitled to 2 weeks’ statutory leave under new measures being introduced by the government. The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Regulations, which will be known as Jack’s Law in memory of Jack Herd whose mother Lucy campaigned tirelessly on the issue, will implement a statutory
The Government Equalities Office is conducting a survey inviting victims of sexual harassment to share their stories and comment on the effectiveness of the law as it currently stands. Ministers say the move is part of their commitment to strengthen protections for employees and will allow the public to have an impact on Government policy,
A gardener was unfairly dismissed after he was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, a tribunal has ruled. Lorne Anderson, who had a history of mental health issues, had worked for the Fife Health Board since 2001. His employer required gardeners to have a full driving licence. Anderson worked long hours, often six
A Royal Mail employee has won her case of unfair dismissal in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Ms Kamaljeet Jhuti joined the Marketreach unit of Royal Mail in October 2013 on a trial basis as a media specialist. She quickly raised concerns about potential regulatory breaches in the processes.
A mental health nurse who was subjected to abuse by patients has won a claim of indirect race discrimination by his employer. However, his claim for harassment was rejected by the Employment Tribunal. Colleridge Bessong, from Africa, worked for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (2019) at a secure residential unit. In 2017 he was seriously
An employer has failed to get an injunction restraining six key employees from working for a competitor, pending a trial to decide whether they were bound by a non-compete covenant. The case involved recruitment company Affinity Workforce Solutions Ltd. In May 2019, it dismissed one of the employees for alleged gross misconduct. She challenged the
An employee who was duped into transferring nearly £200,000 to online scammers while her bosses were on annual leave will not have to pay back the money to her employers. Patricia Reilly worked as a credit controller for Peebles Media Group (PMG). She was left in charge while her managing director, Yvonne Bremner, and line
The Employment Tribunal has ruled that a business manager who suffered from hepatitis C was unfairly dismissed by her employer because of her disability. Carol Smith worked for cosmetic wholesaler Amalgamated Euro Products. Her condition caused her pain, insomnia, fatigue and depression. She rarely took time off until the period between March and July 2016,