The short answer is yes! Take the iconic (well, for HR geeks at least) council swimming pool example, which is often one of the first cases discussed on employment law training courses. In this case a lifeguard employee made lewd comments about a lady who was swimming lengths in the pool to another lifeguard. TheContinue reading “If someone overhears a sexist comment at work can they make a claim as if the remark was aimed at them?”
Author Archives: Peter - 186hr
186hr’s exciting new partnership with e-Aspire and Channel2Learning
Excitingly for us, e-Aspire and C2L are now our official partner for eLearning. They have developed our Banter and Behaviour in the Workplace eLearning course. We have very high hopes for this unique course that covers (with examples) where the bar is regarding banter and other behaviours in the workplace, which is now proudly hostedContinue reading “186hr’s exciting new partnership with e-Aspire and Channel2Learning”
Why is it more costly to call a colleague a Scottish ***** than a scouse ****?
Strange but true! This is because nationality is covered under the definition of race discrimination and harassment whereas region of the UK is not. Please don’t take this as an open invitation to abuse scousers, geordies or anyone else though as even though this would not be racial harassment it is highly likely to beContinue reading “Why is it more costly to call a colleague a Scottish ***** than a scouse ****?”
Try not to comment on a colleague’s appearance. It can prove costly!
In our recently released ‘banter and behaviour in the workplace’ e-learning course (see below for further details), one of the examples we give of sexual harassment / discrimination is ‘commenting on an individual’s dress or appearance’. This is one of several examples of sexual harassment quoted in most legal courses and also the CIPD’s legalContinue reading “Try not to comment on a colleague’s appearance. It can prove costly!”
What if a former employee becomes a threat?
The good news is that employers have a right to expect former employees to behave reasonably, and they generally do even if they leave under a cloud. The bad news is that if they don’t it can be a long, complicated and expensive process to tackle their unreasonable behaviour. You would think that if aContinue reading “What if a former employee becomes a threat?”
A legal right to ignore emails outside work, zero hours contracts ban, 6-month protection from dismissal for maternity returners. Labour’s early Christmas present to employment lawyers!
This is the last of three posts regarding the government’s plan to increase employee rights with changes they describe as “the biggest reforms to workers’ rights in a generation”, a flagship Labour policy and one of the few we were aware of prior to the election. In addition to the previously mentioned changes to flexibleContinue reading “A legal right to ignore emails outside work, zero hours contracts ban, 6-month protection from dismissal for maternity returners. Labour’s early Christmas present to employment lawyers!”
Unfair dismissal rights from day one, increased union powers, and banning ‘fire and rehire’. The government is not hanging around on employment law!
Earlier this week we described how the government is set to announce their bill on increased employee rights later this month, with changes they describe as “the biggest reforms to workers’ rights in a generation”. This is a flagship Labour policy that is being spearheaded by the deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. In addition toContinue reading “Unfair dismissal rights from day one, increased union powers, and banning ‘fire and rehire’. The government is not hanging around on employment law!”
Time to start planning for Labour’s proposed changes to flexible working. Could be a costly minefield for employers!
The government is expected to announce their bill on increased employee rights later this month, with changes they describe as “the biggest reforms to workers’ rights in a generation”. This is a flagship Labour policy that is being spearheaded by the deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. One of the main proposals is to increase theContinue reading “Time to start planning for Labour’s proposed changes to flexible working. Could be a costly minefield for employers!”
Should a shelf stacker be paid the same as a warehouse operative? Equal pay claims are the ones employers dread the most!
High street retailer Next are the latest in a long line of employers to lose sex discrimination claims for equal pay. The judgement will cost them tens of millions of pounds in back pay and increased wages. Most people we speak to imagine equal pay claims to be one individual claiming another is paid moreContinue reading “Should a shelf stacker be paid the same as a warehouse operative? Equal pay claims are the ones employers dread the most!”
Tempted to build rapport by asking a job applicant how old their children are? That’ll be £90,000 please!
Outside work, if you meet someone new and get chatting it seems completely normal to ask about kids, how old they are and take an interest. It’s just part of normal conversation and being friendly. However, this is an area where you need to be so careful in job interviews and other workplace conversations suchContinue reading “Tempted to build rapport by asking a job applicant how old their children are? That’ll be £90,000 please!”