It has been revealed that hundreds of UK business are using artificial intelligence to monitor staff activity. Is this an innovative way to analyse productivity or a stressful scrutinisation of individuals’ activity?...
A former Oxford professor lost his Employment Tribunal claim against the University after it was held their employer-justified retirement age (EJRA) was justified. Oxford University introduced a retirement age of 67 for academics, and allowed applications for extensions only in exceptional circumstances, such as to maintain continuity in projects or to complete work....
We previously reported on the cases of Ali v Capita Customer Management Ltd and Hextall v Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police which left us with competing judgments on whether a failure to increase statutory parental pay to match enhanced maternity pay would be discriminatory on the grounds of sex. We now have appellate authority from the Court of Appeal in these cases (which were joined). ...
New research shows that nearly 50% of employees have at some point resigned as a direct consequence of their poor working relationship with their boss. Process management firm Process Bliss undertook the research, conducting an online survey within the UK of small to medium sized businesses. ...
In the recent case of Owen v AMEC Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd and another, the Court of Appeal held that withdrawing the offer of an international placement due to concerns arising from the Claimant’s medical assessment did not amount to disability discrimination. The Claimant was in poor physical health and suffered from hypertension, kidney disease, ischaemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity....
In Federación de Servicios de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) v Deutsche Bank SAE, a trade union in Spain brought a claim against Deutsche Bank, which did not keep a record of the hours its employees worked on a daily basis. The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided that if there were no requirement to keep records “it would be impossible to determine objectively and reliably either the number of hours worked by the worker [or] when that work was done”....
According to The Government's Department of Health, 25% of us will experience mental health issues at some point in our lives. A study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development...
Whilst it may be common place for retail staff to open and close their stores outside of their contractual hours, employers should be wary and ensure that everyone adequately remunerated for such activities. In the recent case Fitz v Holland and Barrett, Employment Judge Siddall posited such advice in her judgement. ...
TAG Alliances celebrates its 20th anniversary with its members in London...
A report released by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) has revealed that just 5% of companies would appoint an employee to their board of directors, despite a push by the Government to improve employee participation in board meetings. Under the Corporate Governance Code, companies are asked to strengthen the “employee voice” in boardrooms....
In the recent case of Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd, the EAT allowed an appeal by a Claimant against the Tribunal’s decision to reject her claim for disability related discrimination. Whilst it was found that the Respondent did not have knowledge of the Claimant’s disability (either actual or constructive) prior to dismissing her, it had gained this knowledge when it was told of her depression at the appeal hearing....
The 2018-2019 report of the Social Mobility Commission, released this week, provides an opportunity for HR professionals to consider ways to add further value to businesses....
“Culture is the sum of a company’s values, traditions, beliefs, interactions, behaviours and attitudes” according to the co-founder of communications platform Speakap the company responsible for a new survey on the importance of workplace culture....
Research from the CIPD suggests that menopause in the workplace remains mismanaged and shrouded in silence, despite impacting an increasing number of employees. The NHS states that the average age for menopause transition in the UK is 51. ...
We are a “long way from the ‘robots will take my job’ anxiety that dominates the media’s image of AI and automation” states Katherine Henley, workforce transformation expert at PA Consulting. ...
A survey conducted by CV-Library on 1,200 UK workers has revealed that 64% of men were comfortable asking for a pay rise, compared to just 43% of women. On top of this, when women did ask for a pay rise, this averaged at around 2% of their salary, in comparison to men receiving a rise between 3-5%....
Reforms to the tax framework known as IR35 have been lurking in the background since autumn 2018 when the government announced its intention to extend the regime to the private sector. ...
The High Court has ruled in Shelbourne v Cancer Research UK that the employer was not liable for the back injuries sustained by the employee at a Christmas Party. A visiting scientist attending the party had picked up the Claimant and dropped her, causing a severe back injury....
A new consultation has been opened by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) seeking views on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates that should apply from April 2020. ...
In the wake of Ray Kelvin’s resignation as CEO of Ted Baker following harassment allegations from staff, here’s how business leaders can keep their company free from “sexual innuendos” and inappropriate conduct ...