Employment Law Explained

Monthly Archives: April 2010

B4-9 Business Breakfast Meeting

B49.logo  B4 9 Business Breakfast Meeting   miscellaneous stuff Today was my turn to give the “10 minute” presentation at the B4-9 breakfast networking group in Welwyn Garden City.  I try and get along most weeks because it’s a very active group, the company is good and, most importantly,  the breakfasts are excellent!

The Group’s website is here

The purpose of the “10 minute slot” is for members to profile themselves and their businesses.  I talked about how most people don’t know what solicitors do, what my firm does and how we try to help our clients, as well as some very basic background on employment law.  For those who couldn’t make it or couldn’t take notes, click here for my Powerpoint presentation, courtesy of Slideshare.  If anyone needs further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Do Employees Have it All Their Own Way?

iStock 000011687373XSmall Do Employees Have it All Their Own Way?   practice procedure

How not to Resolve a Dispute or Why Employees should never try to wear traffic cones

(picture right)  How Not to Resolve Disputes or Why Employees Should Never Wear Traffic Cones

Should employers be scared of Jedism?

starwarsposter ep iv Should employers be scared of Jedism?   religion and belief discrimination news

I admit I had to laugh and wondered whether it was an April Fool’s joke come early.  I’m referring to the story in The Sun a few days ago about Chris Jarvis, the hoodie, who was refused entry to Southend Job Centre for refusing to take his hood down.  He complained.  Why?  Because he claimed that his religious beliefs had been infringed, on account of him being a member of the International Church of Jediism – i.e he believed he was a Jedi Knight.  The job centre subsequently apologised for offending him.  He is quoted as saying “Muslims can walk around in whatever religious gear they like, so why can’t I?” ignoring the obvious fact that Islam is one of the world’s great religions dating back to the 600s, as opposed to a science fiction film by George Lucas in 1977.  The clue, Chris, might be in the word “fiction”.   I would have had more sympathy with him had he argued about the increasing tendency of organisations to cite “security” with glib abandon where there is little risk posed.

Happy “Red Tape” Day!

iStock 000012288316XSmall1 Happy Red Tape Day!   news

Happy New (Financial) Year! April 6th marks the new fiscal year as well as the start of the long-awaited General Election.  It also marks the first of the two semi-annual dates on which the government introduces new legislation and alters allowances; which Herbert Smith call “Red Tape” day.  I’ve already written about the most high-profile new measure coming into force: the new “fit note system.  Melanie Hatton at the “Law Donut” blog comments that it is too early to say whether fit notes will benefit employers or not, but makes the very useful point that employers should keep written records of reasons for  those occasions when they don’t follow the G.Ps recommendations.