Category Archives: Employment Law
Employment Tribunal Fees Ruled as Unlawful
On 26 July 2017, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld an appeal by UNISON that tribunal fees, introduced by the UK government in 2013, are unlawful under UK and EU law. The ruling, described as “momentous”, has led to the existing … More
Is Body Art a Workplace Issue?
Recent research by Acas and Kings College, which explored employer perceptions on staff appearance at work found that visible body modifications such as piercings or tattoos are still likely to be frowned upon in certain areas of the service sector … More
Lose the High Heels and the Make-Up and Make a Fuss
Shocking examples of workplace sexism were laid bare in a major Government report prompted by a London office worker being sent home from work without pay for refusing to wear high heels. Nicola Thorp who was employed as a temporary … More
Employee dismissed for failure to wash hands-harsh but not unfair?
A bakery employee from the Welsh valleys was dismissed after a hand hygiene “lapse” during a night shift. Following the employee’s claim for unfair dismissal, the Tribunal ruled that the dismissal was fair. Sion Donovan, who was employed by Greggs … More
Hijabs in the Workplace
he case of Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions NV is a Belgian case concerning a Muslim woman, working as a receptionist, who was dismissed for refusing to remove her headscarf whilst at work. She claimed unfair dismissal and discrimination on … More
Tougher Rules on employing illegal workers under Immigration Act
The Immigration Act 2016 came into force on 12 July 2016. Immigration minister James Brokenshire said: “Some employers seem to think that by employing workers who are less likely to complain, including vulnerable migrants, they can undercut the local labour … More
Should Women be Made to Wear High Heels at Work?
Dress codes are often used in the workplace and there are many reasons why an employer may have such a code. For example in some firms employees may be required to adhere to some form of corporate wear to communicate … More
Employment Law 2016 – Key Financial Uplifts
Introduction of the National Living Wage – from 1 April 2016, the National Living Wage took effect in the UK. All workers aged 25 and over are entitled to be paid a minimum of £7.20 per hour. National Minimum … More
Middle Aged Need Not Apply
In the last year, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has received over 100 complaints about discriminatory advertisements including: Age discrimination – a recruitment agency advert stated that over 45s need not apply Disability discrimination – a hotel said … More