News 28 March - 4 April 2019

This week’s news highlights multiple but largely already well-trodden paths on the road of contemporary UK Case Law and those issues which inform them.The times may change, but at present, the Groundhog Day of everyday living just keeps rolling on.

So here’s what’s hit the headlines in employment circle’s this week.

Pennington’s highlighted some interesting pre & post Brexit issues relating to the GDPR.(1) The wider implications of Brexit (maybe) continue to be reported, nurses in the NHS leaving in droves.(2) The stating of the obvious, such as there aren’t many women involved in Hedge Funds.(3) Or, frequently abusive bosses escape prosecution.(4)If only the wheels of fantasy justice existed there wouldn’t be a need for conversations about restoring fees to the Employment Tribunals to ensure the balance remained heavily in favour of employers.

But this week has not been entirely stained with cynicism.  In fact, stories continue to emerge which underline the importance of equality legislation.  In a vicious irony research by Macmillan has revealed that cancer patients face high levels of work related stress due to a lack of support in the workplace.(5) Research from a retail supplier has confirmed existing evidence that retail work is amongst the most stressful work in the current marketplace.(6) This follows previous editorial evidence regarding the levels violence retail workers face on a daily basis.  In keeping with trends across all industries, the gender pay gain the music industry is vast.(7) But since today’s headlines have explained that the pay gap is actually worsening, this comes as no surprise.  Even more disturbingly, as reports on the extent of modern slavery continue to flood in, the depths of depravity seems to know no limit as reports of organ harvesting have come to light.(8) 

But here at Castle, we prefer to remain positive, when the opportunity presents and so the last two stories today highlight that even in the gloom, there is always a tiny glint of light, its just a matter of finding it. Drinks giant Diageo will offer its male and female workers equal parental leave.(9) Last but not least, there is evidence of an increasing move by some employers to embrace a new recruitment trend called ‘neurodiversity’.(10) It offers hope to us all. 

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