Posted on
02-02-12
Introduction
Dealing with employees on long term sick leave can be a very difficult situation for managers. Employers contemplating dismissal should usually conduct an investigation prior to dismissal, but how far must that investigation go? Is the employer entitled to rely solely on information supplied by the employee or is an up to date medical report required? Below we consider this thorny issue together with the question: is an employer expected to go the extra mile for employees with longer service?
Posted on
31-01-12
Welcome to our Local Authority Employment Review
In this review we take a look at current employment issues facing local authorities, including the most significant decisions in relation to Equal Pay litigation in 2011; the current position on recovering costs in the Employment Tribunal; issues around the right to legal representation at disciplinary hearings under the Human Rights Act; clarification on the ‘Johnson exclusion area principle’; and a guide to whistleblowing claims.
We also introduce our Local Authority Employment team.
I hope you find this review useful. If you would like to discuss any of the articles please do not hesitate to contact me or another member of the local authority employment team.
Rena Magdani
Partner
0845 272 5715
rena.magdani@freethcartwright.co.uk
Posted on
19-01-12
It’s going to be a busy time for businesses again this year with a number of important employment law changes coming into force over the next 12 months.
Below we have highlighted some of the key changes and when they are coming into force.
Posted on
04-01-12
Introduction
In this month’s briefing we look at two cases concerning very different forms of discrimination in the workplace, an update on sickness absence and holiday pay. We also set out the new rates of statutory maternity pay and sick pay and provide a reminder of the latest government consultations on TUPE legislation and the ongoing review of UK employment law.
Philip Bury
01782 202020
phillip.bury@kjdfreeth.co.uk
Posted on
30-11-11
In this month’s review we take a look at three interesting cases which deal with the dangers of issuing termination notices by mistake; the cost consequences of claimants’ rejecting reasonable offers of re-employment and the power of the tribunal to find that a reason for a dismissal is different from the one given by an employer. We also remind ourselves of key changes which came into force at the beginning of October and report on the first conviction under the Bribery Act 2010.
Philip Pepper
0845 271 6794
philip.pepper@freethcartwright.co.uk
Posted on
25-11-11
Vince Cable has announced the Government’s proposals to encourage growth and employment levels in the economy, in what is claimed to be the most radical reform of employment law in decades. The announcement was made just prior to the publication of the Government’s response to the consultation on ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’, which sought views on how workplace disputes can be resolved at an earlier stage and how the tribunal service can be made as user-friendly and as effective as possible, and the Red Tape Challenge review of employment law, which had the aim of deregulating the bureaucracy that currently entrenches employment legislation.
Some of the Government’s proposals are unsurprising, whether it be because of previous announcements or Government leaks, but there are some proposals which are entirely unexpected.
Posted on
01-11-11
Introduction
This month we assess cases concerning the difficult issue of providing references when there are outstanding allegations, the risks associated with social media within the workplace and working in a second job whilst on sick leave. We also consider the government’s suggestions for stimulating the economy for employers and suggestions for clamping down on vexatious litigants.
Joanne Kay
0845 634 1724
joanne.kay@freethcartwright.co.uk
Posted on
27-10-11
Social Networking - Employer’s Friend or Foe?
There can be no doubt that we are in the midst of a communication revolution. The use of email and social media for communication purposes has grown significantly in recent years and shows no signs of slowing. We only need to look at the impact that social networking had on the recent riots to understand its potential impact both inside and outside of the workplace.
Whilst employers have had time to develop policies on electronic communications, how should they respond to the proliferation of social networking through the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, to name but a few?
