The Government has announced that the default retirement age (DRA) will be scrapped on 1 October 2011. At the moment, employers can force staff to retire at the age of 65 regardless of their circumstances but this will not be permitted under the new plans. There is a transition period between 6 April 2011 to [...]

Is your business aware of the Equality Act and the impact this will have on you, specifically when recruiting new staff? You will not be able to ask job applicants questions about their health and whether they have a disability other than in specified circumstances. Employers will still be entitled to screen applicants about health [...]

The Tribunal Annual Statistics were published last week, and they make for interesting reading. The key findings are:- • 56% increase from 2008/09 in the number of claims accepted by Employment Tribunals, which were at their highest ever level. This is mainly attributable to multiple claims. • There was a 14% increase in the number [...]

Many employers missed this important amendment to the Equality Act as it was passed just before the general election. The amendment prevents employers questioning job applicants about their health or disability prior to any job offer. The prohibition is subject to certain exceptions described below. Interviewees will not be able to make tribunal claims simply [...]

Ever had issues started with some of your staff regarding disputes? Can’t recall when or who started it. Minor arguments that turned into full scale grievances/harassment claims. Sound familiar? Every workplace has some kind of issue regarding whispering, gossip etc. Generally, these issues don’t have a major impact on productivity or morale, but when these [...]

Tilern DeBique said she was forced to leave the forces because she was expected to be available for duty at all times. However, a tribunal ruled she was within her rights to miss training when she could not find anyone to look after her daughter and is expected to receive a payment of at least [...]

If so, it’s about to get even more complicated!! Next month, there are a number of key changes taking place including the following: Whistleblowing – important changes After 6 April 2010, Employment Tribunals will have the power to pass on whistleblowing allegations (made under the Public Interest Disclosure Act) to a prescribed regulator. Claimants will [...]

Yesterday, Christine Pratt, CEO of The National Bullying Helpline,  claimed several people in Gordon Brown’s office had contacted her anti-bullying charity.  According to Ms Pratt, “three or four” calls had been made to the National Bullying Helpline in recent years and BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said it was understood one of the individuals involved [...]