The recent case of Cherfi -v- G4S Security Services Limited has provided the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) with an opportunity to consider whether indirect discrimination can be justified on the ground of cost alone. Mr Cherfi worked as a security guard at a site in Highgate from 2005. He regularly took time off work on…
McGrigors is one the leading UK-based law firms with offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Aberdeen, Manchester, Qatar and Falkland Islands. It describes itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic law firms and reports in a recent press release that it has signed a commitment to widen access to the legal profession. However, in…
In our May newsletter we announced that, like many employers, 2011 has seen us expand into the world of social networking with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages. In June I wrote about cases which have resulted from the use of social media and informed subscribers about the social media policy which we have added to…
The case of M-Choice UK Limited -v- Aalders, which was recently considered by the Employment Appeal Tribunal, demonstrates the complexities which can arise when trying to establish when someone was dismissed. The date of termination can be vital in determining whether or not a claim of unfar dismissal can be maintained. Ms Aalders commenced employment…
A Leeds employment tribunal has ruled that a Polish worker who was routinely called Borat by a work colleague over a four week period was subjected to race discrimination. Adrian Ruda joined TEi in Wakefield as a quality assurance engineer. In 2010 he brought a number of claims against his employer, alleging race and sexual…
In April 2011 my colleague Kath Kelly wrote an article about the end of the statutory retirement age and highlighted some possible alternatives. The time is now upon us because this Friday 30 September is the last date on which notice given last April can take effect. Consequently, any attempts to impose compulsory retirement after…
The Government has made clear for some time its intention to extend the right to request flexible working to most employees rather than just those who having caring responsibilities. In September 2010 the Department for Business Innovation and Skills announced an intention to extend flexible working rights to all parents of children under 18 from…
Implementation of the Agency Workers Directive has been in the pipeline for years. After several delays, the UK Regulations which enact the requirements of the Directive finally come into force on 1 October. But what do they mean in practice for employers?