Workplace Issues
News 3 - 15 February 2021
So to another week of COVID and stories to match.
The TUC has called for a further extension of the furlough scheme in order to save jobs.(1) Con-tractor UK raises the issue of the HMRC chec...
Picking apart a disciplinary case to ensure justice prevails
Factory supervisor Maria insisted she was firm but fair, while a colleague claimed she was a bully - it was a difference in opinion that left her fighting to save her job.
Maria had been in char...
Age old problem of discrimination in the workplace
Employees are now having to work much longer before retirement and age discrimination remains an issue employers need to be alert to and able to deal with.
Age discrimination, often referred to ...
News 26 January - 2 February 2021
As we start a new month we continue to focus on COVID and bring numerous articles which reflect the hope of the recently introduced vaccine. Welcome to visions of the post-COVID world.
Our firs...
The sickly feeling with being unfairly selected for redundancy
Production operative John was left feeling sick when first informed he had been selected for redundancy in a process he was convinced was unfair.
For any employee news of workplace redundancies ...
Millions of workers need urgent protection from unfair dismissal
There are fears that in the coming months more jobs will be lost and one in four workers will not be protected from unfair dismissal.
It is reported that about 7.5 million employees began this y...
News 14 - 25 January 2021
This week’s News begins with the inauguration of new US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris we will watch to see the impact of their influence on future trade and with it employmen...
Finding the hidden evidence in a message to ensure justice is served
Marketing executive Selina knew the value of words, creating a good impression and the importance of sending the right message.
So, it can be seen as ironic that an inappropriate WhatsApp messag...
Case Study - Redundancy
The situation
Anna was employed by an international travel firm for five years. She had been promoted twice to a senior management position and managed three colleagues. When she became pregnant...
Finding the right words to get a fair outcome when banter causes a problem
How people act and talk in work can create huge problems when it comes to determining what is inappropriate behaviour.
Most workplaces will have what is considered a culture of ‘banter’ in which...
The legal requirement to do at least the bare minimum to pay employees what they are entitled to
Those familiar with the naming and shaming of employers failing to pay staff the minimum wage will not have been surprised to see the latest list included some very well-known names.
The governm...
New rules but same old problem with an unfair disciplinary process.
Last year saw dramatic changes to the way in which we now work and the introduction of strict new workplace rules, which left Sheena fighting to save her job.
Restaurant worker Sheena was suspen...
Correcting a disciplinary process that sends out the wrong message.
Despite the many advances in technology, the text message has not yet become a suitable replacement for a disciplinary hearing.
Maintenance Technician Des was fired by text after an expletive-la...
Reflecting on the year and looking forward to the new year
It’s that time of year when we tend to look back on the last 12 months and look forward to the New Year and what it may bring.
The year 2020 has been one like no other in recent memory. The way...
A disciplinary process that was a crying shame.
Failing to care for a distressed and injured child is one of the most devastating allegations a nursery worker can face.
It was an allegation levelled against Sophie when she faced what she b...
Good recovery from ill-informed disciplinary outcome
What an employer knew and when it knew can be the key in getting justice for an employee subjected to unfair disciplinary action.
Following a disciplinary hearing Josie was dismissed for failing...
Monitoring remote workers in the comfort of their own homes
Employers have the right to observe employees at work, but they may need to adapt if they wish to do so for those now working from home.We are well aware that CCTV is fitted throughout workplaces, ...
Dealing with bullying at work
The question as to how employers should deal with bullying in the workplace has made headlines – and it’s a question that cannot be ignored.Bullying is always a highly emotive and difficult issue f...
An unusual disciplinary case where there really was smoke without fire.
Surveillance cameras are everywhere, so we know if we do something wrong there is a good chance it may be caught on film.Employees have been fired for wrongdoing captured on video, which means the ...
News 7 - 13 November 2020
This week as the second lockdown picks up steam, we’ll look at more Coronavirus focussed stories but with the usual scattering of other employment tales of note.
First off the mark is a story in...
