News

Since the abolition of the default retirement age provisions, it has been directly discriminatory for employers to use compulsory retirement ages. However in a recent case the Supreme Court has handed down a decision which could potentially pave the way for the re-introduction of retirement ages. We also look at another case on indirect age discrimination.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that a Manager who accused an employee of lying about her pregnancy and miscarriage did not discriminate against her.

The European Commission has given Britain two months to comply with European laws otherwise it could face a claim to the European Court of Justice and be fined if it loses.

The Queen’s Speech delivered on 9 May announced two Bills which are relevant to employment law: the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill and the Children and Families Bill.

Workers exposed to asbestos as part of their job are at a significantly greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

HSE working with demolition team after asbestos found at Crane site in Ipswich

Motorists Association and British Cycling agree on an issue for a change.

Gotelee Solicitors' Asbestos related diseased awareness guide published.

In Horwood v Lincoln County Council the Employment Appeal Tribunal had to decide what was the effective date of termination where an employee sent a letter to her employer resigning with immediate effect but the employer responded stating that the resignation was effective from a later date.

Siân Mullane discusses Government proposals that will see innocent victims of violent crime left without any compensation despite suffering sever injuries or abuse.

Legislation allows the government to declare additional bank holidays to celebrate special occasions. There will be a special bank holiday on 5 June 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee. Do you have to allow your workers to take this extra day and pay them for it?

Like Wayne Rooney, everyone has the right to reap the benefits of their career success, and employers cannot stall the progress of key employees by imposing conditions after someone moves on – it’s got to be in their contract, and even so any restriction has to be reasonable.

Significant changes will soon be coming into effect which will  require all employers to automatically enrol eligible workers into qualifying  pension schemes. Marie Allen, employment solicitor at Gotelee Solicitors, outlines new employer pension duties.

Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke makes surprise U-turn to postpone Jackson reforms for mesothelioma cases

Coroner's Finding Exposes Poor Service Provision for Autistic Young People in Suffolk

In this case the Employment Appeal Tribunal had to decide whether an employee who had resigned, withdrawn her resignation, and then resigned again subsequently had brought her claim in the time limit.

In HM Land Registry v Benson, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that an employer was justified in selecting employees aged under 50 for voluntary redundancy on the basis that it would cost less to dismiss them than employees aged between 50 and 54.   The method of selection was therefore not unlawful age discrimination.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that where ageist comments were made by a manager, the burden of proof shifted to the employer to disprove discrimination.

An update on some recent and forthcoming changes in employment law.

Comments by Hugh Rowland on things to be aware of when getting your garden ready for the Spring/Summer season and in particular bird nests.