Workplace Issues
Understanding when an employer may call time on sick leave
Being forced to call into work sick can be a time of genuine uncertainty for an employee and an employer.How long the illness will last and what impact it will have on the workforce and productivit...
Looking at behaviour that can cause race discrimination in the workplace
All employers should take a zero-tolerance approach to racism in the workplace and key to tackling unlawful discrimination is understanding the cause of it.It can occur as a result of the actions o...
Changing the way of work to help manage depression in the workplace
It’s fair to say that there can be some uncertainty for employers when it comes to considering reasonable adjustments for an employee suffering with depression.Depression is a common and serious me...
Tis the season to worry about the consequences of the office party
Things can, and often do, go wrong at the office Christmas party, which can have serious repercussions in the workplaceData analyst Kirk was delighted and relieved when he was eventually cleared of...
The helping hand of the trade union rep
When things go wrong at work knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference.Whether it is management or colleagues acting unreasonably, the help of a trade union representative (rep) in...
Finding the right words to resolve a disciplinary problem
Getting to truth of a disciplinary matter when employees make tit-for-tat allegations can be a problem.Florence had worked for a telecommunications company for over eight years and was a team leade...
Working to fix a problem when you are not equipped for the job
It is often the case that employees get blamed for genuine mistakes and as a result end up facing a difficult fight to save their job.As a gas service engineer for a housing association some parts ...
The ‘funny’ social media clip that proved not to be a laughing matter
We all do not laugh at the same things and what one person finds funny another one may find offensive.With mobile phones always to hand being caught on camera in an embarrassing situation is al...
Hiring the wrong person for the job
We all make mistakes from time to time and when employers do correcting it may not always be as straightforward as it seems.There can be pressure to fill vacancies. When a candidate who impressed d...
What can HR do for an employee?
The role of human resources (HR) can sometimes be a delicate balancing act and when things go wrong for an employee it can often come under fire.The one-time view of HR was that it was just a depar...
Is it time to sack the appraisal review for its poor performance?
In recent years the feedback on the value of the performance appraisal has been very negative and it appears that employers can do much better.There seems to be a growing feeling that appraisals ar...
Failing to see the funny side of a mistimed joke
As a delivery driver Ravi was used to delivering welcome gifts to householders and he certainly had something to celebrate when he received some good news of his own in the post.Our representative ...
Facing a disciplinary investigation with a lack of evidence to support the allegation
When employees leave a company it can sometimes be under a very dark cloud and it can cause problems for those who remain with the business.When one of Helen’s former colleagues left the care home ...
Managing absence from work, handle with care
There is an old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder… but when it comes to employment matters absence can certainly make your mind wander.What’s going on, what’s going to happen and what...
When failure to make a good early impression threatens your job security.
There was good reason for Reece to fear the worse when he was asked to attend a probation review meeting.His employer was claiming his probation period had been extended twice previously and dismis...
Knowing your rights when off work sick
Knowing your rights when off work sickWhen you’re not feeling at your best and you’re unable to attend work what you may or may not be entitled to will probably be one of the last things on your mi...
When all that appears on camera is not what is claimed.
For an innocent employee having to defend themselves against CCTV footage being used to support serious allegations against them is a daunting prospect.Incidents captured on camera are often used b...
Treating absent employees with care during the redundancy process
The mere mention of redundancy and the prospect of it are bound to make any employee feel sick with worry.With such announcements it is understandable that workers are going to be fretful and fear ...
When Relationships Breakdown in the Workplace
Just like any other relationship when working relationships breakdown the fallout can be acrimonious, distressing and costly.Pat believed dismissal was inevitable after a disagreement with her boss...
Understanding the duty to make reasonable adjustments
The term reasonable adjustment is one that is often used when it comes to discussing help for disabled and vulnerable employees in the workplace.But what exactly is meant by a reasonable adjustment...
