You will have seen various reports about the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which is due to make things significantly more complicated, time consuming and costly for employers who wish to part company with problem employees later this year. Fortunately, some of the initial proposals in the Bill have been watered down a little as theContinue reading “Do you have a difficult employee who started in the last year? Act WELL BEFORE October”
Category Archives: Tribunals
Why do employees increasingly expect unjustifiably high exit settlements from their employer?
There seems to be a big increase in disputes between employers and employees who are in the process of leaving at present, irrespective of whether the exit is their choice or the organisations. When this happens, employers often engage us to negotiate a settlement, which will then be legally binding once a Settlement Agreement isContinue reading “Why do employees increasingly expect unjustifiably high exit settlements from their employer?”
How can employers protect themselves against claims for harassment or discrimination?
Recent press articles suggest the bar is incredibly low for what constitutes harassment or discrimination at work. Take the recent case where an organisation lost a tribunal for sexual harassment supposedly because the boss didn’t say good morning to a female colleague when he did to male staff. Whereas such headlines are worrying for employers,Continue reading “How can employers protect themselves against claims for harassment or discrimination?”
New law means responsible employers must train their employees on how to avoid sexually harassing others.
Effective 26th October, the law now requires employers to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Although the wording is similar to the previous phraseology, those 3 new words ‘all reasonable steps’ means it will now be significantly harder for organisations to defend claims, even if they don’t believe they haveContinue reading “New law means responsible employers must train their employees on how to avoid sexually harassing others.”
Have you ever made a joke about male drivers in the workplace?
From 26th October this year the law on sex discrimination changed, and now requires employers to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This is a significant change and businesses really do need to take it seriously, especially with sex discrimination awards currently averaging £36,607 at tribunal in addition toContinue reading “Have you ever made a joke about male drivers in the workplace?”
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!”
Are Employers Responsible for the Irresponsible Acts of their Staff?
Whilst reading up on the outcome of the recent Chell v Tarmac Cement and Lime Ltd case I decided that vicarious liability may be an interesting topic for this week’s blog. As you may be aware, generally employers are vicariously liable for the acts of their employees whilst at work, but it is not a givenContinue reading “Are Employers Responsible for the Irresponsible Acts of their Staff?”
What are the main legal claims brought against employers in relation to redundancies?
Various types of claims can be brought against employers if they do not follow a fair and reasonable redundancy process. In this blog post I will explain the main ones companies need to be aware of, including compensation levels where a Tribunal finds in an employee’s favour. In addition to any awards made by aContinue reading “What are the main legal claims brought against employers in relation to redundancies?”