Keeping you updated in 2020 …
April will bring the new a number of changes for employers
Trowbridge Food Bank
Before we close for the holiday, it’s time an update on the work of our favourite local charity, the Trowbridge Storehouse Foodbank
Gender Pay Gap Widens for Full-Time Staff
The introduction of gender pay gap reporting obligations was never expected to herald a quick fix of generations of pay inequality, but the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the unwelcome news that the gender pay gap among full-time employees has in fact increased in recent times.
Be honest about the reason for dismissal
Another Court of Appeal case has underlined the dangers of giving one reason for dismissing an employee and then later giving the true reason when defending a claim. In the case of Otshudi v Base Childrenswear the employee had worked for the company for only 3 months when she was dismissed for redundancy.
Personality clash dismissal was unfair
FE Colleges, in common with most employers, have their share of workplace personality clashes. A serious breakdown in relationships will, in extreme cases, inevitably result in a dismissal of once or more staff.
Whistle-blowing cases continue to make headlines
Protection for whistle-blowers continues to hit the headlines and we’re certainly seeing a significant increase in such cases. There are some significant challenges in dealing with the technical aspects and the potential for large damages awards, even for relatively short-serving employees means that the cases can pose real risk for businesses if not managed effectively.
Tea Break – Redundancy Processes
Tea Break Time: our latest is a bite-sized reminder of the essentials in a restructure/redundancy exercise.
Accusations of Gross Misconduct and Suspension
Where employees are accused of gross misconduct, suspending them on full pay pending a disciplinary investigation is often a knee-jerk reaction. However, as the case of Upton-Hansen Architects Ltd v Gyftaki, reminds us, such a step is not always justified.
Open Plan Offices? Not for me, thanks
Open-plan offices are a cost-effective and logical choice for most businesses, but for employees with autism or other types of neurodivergence, they can be unsuitable. Find out how one employee ended up being awarded over £50,000 at an employment tribunal, thanks to one firm's open-plan environment.
Even Illegal Workers Have Employment Rights
Can foreign nationals who work illegally in this country rely on their employment contracts in bringing proceedings before an Employment Tribunal? Find out how a recent decision made in the Court of Appeal signals a judicial clampdown on the exploitation of overseas workers.