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Check out our latest e-mail newsletter: http://ymlp.com/zdeYAP
Newsletter – job applicant refused employment because he’s bald
The BBC reports that in June 2010 a Court in Northern Ireland ordered the Police Service there to reconsider an application for recruitment by a bald man. He had been rejected out of hand because he could not give them hairs of up to 3cm in length required for a drug test. He was also…
Newsletter – redefining unreasonable behaviour at an employment tribunal
Judges and juries in criminal trials sometimes need police protection. However those taking part in employment tribunal cases don’t generally expect to face physical violence so spare a thought for former solicitor Russell Hardwick. He retired a few weeks ago after a long stint as an Employment Judge no doubt expecting some peace and quiet.…
Newsletter – fit notes – employers beware!
As previously reported in our blog a website is offering fake new-style Med 3s which include a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’. The web-site charges £9.99 – and it’s “buy one and get one free”. The website concerned (http://www.doctorsnotestore.com) says it provides “Guaranteed 48 hour delivery of authentic looking replica doctors sick note or medical…
Newsletter – Equality Act 2010 progress
Changes to the Government Equalities Office web pages have recently fuelled rumours that the new coalition government may be rethinking the timetable for introduction of the Equality Act 2010. The Act received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010, immediately before Parliament was dissolved. Major parts of it have been intended to come into force on…
Newsletter – circumventing statutory compensation limits
Mr Edwards was a consultant surgeon working for the Chesterfield NHS Trust. He was dismissed for gross misconduct and subsequently was unable to find employment within the NHS. Rather than claiming unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal, where compensation is limited by statute (currently to an absolute maximum of £76,700), he brought a breach of…
Newsletter – the “without prejudice” rule
As is well known, communications made “without prejudice” between disputing parties in attempts to achieve an out of court settlement of their dispute are not generally admissible evidence if they fail to reach a settlement and the matter goes to trial. The reason, of course, is that it is important public policy to encourage parties…
Newsletter – retirement age
As pensions and retirement usually go together there is much scope for muddling the rules relating to them. Adding to possible confusion, two government consultations on related matters are both being headed by eminent men with the same surname. Former Labour Minister John Hutton is to chair a commission on public service pensions while economist…
Newsletter – rewards for failure
It’s not only private sector bank chiefs who can be handsomely rewarded even though they have presided over disasters. One reason for what can sometimes appear to be unwarranted generosity is of course self-interest: senior directors are usually aware of any dirty linen there may be in their employers’ cupboards and an important part of…
Newsletter – Minimum Wage increase 2010
Draft regulations have now been published which will make the following main changes to the National Minimum Wage with effect from 1st October 2010: the principal rate of the national minimum wage increases from £5.80 to £5.93 per hour; the age at which the principal rate becomes payable is reduced from 22 to 21; the…