Changing status: employees of law “firms”
There is an old saying that the cobbler’s children have no shoes. The cobbler has been so busy looking after their customers that they have forgotten to shoe their own family. So it can sometimes be with lawyers; we are so busy dealing with our clients‘ affairs that we overlook the need to ensure that … Continue reading Changing status: employees of law “firms”
Non-discriminatory bullying in the workplace: does the law go far enough?
ACAS sums up the position concisely in its guide to harassment and bullying in the workplace: “[Bullying is] offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient.” “The impact on the individual can be the same as harassment and the words bullying … Continue reading Non-discriminatory bullying in the workplace: does the law go far enough?
Equality deferred: the equality clause fails to correct unequal pay
There has been a lot of discussion recently about the inequality of pay between men and women. After discussing the various controversies, this blog focuses on whether the statutory equality clause mechanism is fit for purpose in addressing the issue of unequal pay. Recognising there is no simple panacea for inequality of pay, it argues … Continue reading Equality deferred: the equality clause fails to correct unequal pay
Balancing the Scales of Justice: discharging the burden of proof in discrimination claims
In relation to unlawful discrimination claims, it had become well established under the old law that there was a two-stage test: The claimant had first to establish the facts from which, in absence of any explanation to the contrary, a tribunal could reasonably conclude that unlawful discrimination had taken place. If that was established, the … Continue reading Balancing the Scales of Justice: discharging the burden of proof in discrimination claims
Direct age discrimination and the provision of permanent health insurance (PHI) following Smith v Gartner and Whitham v Capita: a call for clarification
Does an employer directly discriminate against its employee because of his or her age by ceasing PHI payments prior to the employee reaching the greater of age 65 or their state pension age? The employment tribunal (ET) in Whitham v Capita Insurance Services Ltd ET/2505448/12 answered this question with an emphatic yes. However, the EAT … Continue reading Direct age discrimination and the provision of permanent health insurance (PHI) following Smith v Gartner and Whitham v Capita: a call for clarification
“Do you get all of the service charge?”
Look no further than this press release from BEIS on 1 October 2018 to gauge the government’s enthusiasm for highlighting that it has been thinking about policy and issues other than Brexit over the last couple of years: “The government has announced plans to ensure that tips left for workers will go to them in … Continue reading “Do you get all of the service charge?”
