Employment Law Explained

Author Archives:

Vince Cable: In the Eye of the Storm

Posted on 21/05/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

On the subject of compromise, there must be an even more uneasy atmosphere around the Cabinet table following the front-page report in the FT today saying that Vince Cable cannot support the government’s reforms of employment law.

Saint Vince is reported as saying he will resist “bonkers” proposals over “no-fault dismissals”.  Mind you, he was ready to go to war with News International over their proposed purchase of BSkyB until he shot himself in the foot.  Cable is also reported as having had conversations with Ed Miliband; so has Nick Clegg.  About what?  We’re not told apart from a vague reference to “important areas of public policy”. What’s happened to collective Cabinet responsibility?

This is a preview of Vince Cable: In the Eye of the Storm. Read the full post (409 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Politics

Warning: This Site May be Compromised

Posted on 21/05/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments
hackerimages Warning: This Site May be Compromised miscellaneous stuff

The only Hacker I've ever liked

Hackers!  Don’t you just hate them?  Late last week a couple of people got in touch to say that a search for this blog  not only showed my posts on employment law but also an invitation to buy viagra.

Now, whilst times may be hard and pressure on solicitors’ fees ever more intense, I haven’t yet diversified into selling viagra, or any other such products, to supplement my income.  I suppose in these post-ABS days there’s no reason why one couldn’t of course, but it’s not really the done thing, is it?

This is a preview of Warning: This Site May be Compromised. Read the full post (208 words, 1 image, estimated 50 secs reading time)
Filed Under: Miscellaneous Stuff

The Queen’s Speech

Posted on 15/05/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

It didn’t meet with the same critical acclaim last week that the film of  nearly the same name – The King’s Speech – did a few months ago. No one seemed very impressed by it, little detail was provided and what we have been promised has been mooted already.  The business lobby were underwhelmed by the lack of specifics. The Government’s public discomfort continued as they managed to please no one. Business didn’t like the lack of detail and everyone else seemed underwhelmed. Ed Miliband had a good day, saying,

“No change, no hope – that is the real message of this Queen’s Speech.“

This is a preview of The Queen’s Speech. Read the full post (646 words, estimated 2:35 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Bonuses, News

Podcast#4 – Philip Henson of Bargate Murray

Posted on 04/05/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

 

In this latest podcast I’m joined by Philip Henson, Partner at Bargate Murray Solicitors to chew over the new and proposed reforms to employment law and the case of Seldon v Clarkson, Wright & Jakes.Philip Henson Bargate Murray 285x300 Podcast#4 Philip Henson of Bargate Murray podcast

Health Warning:  This podcast is just an informal chat between two blokes with nothing better to do than talk about employment law one evening.  It doesn’t constitute legal advice in any way.

 

 

 

Permanent link to this post (73 words, 1 image, estimated 18 secs reading time)
Filed Under: Podcast

Don’t Call Me Darling

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

Last week it was reported that BA Air Steward Rothstein Williams, a Seventh Day Adventist, was not permitted to pursue his case for religious discrimination beyond a pre-hearing review at Reading Employment Tribunal. He complained that a female colleague had called him “darling” after asking him to collect some glasses during a flight.  He took offence and sued.

Mr Williams was also upset because he thought he was harassed for studying the Bible at work.

The Tribunal dismissed his claims, accepting BA’s explanation that “darling” was a convenient epithet to use because there were so many flight crew that they couldn’t be expected to remember everyone’s names. How about name badges then?

This is a preview of Don’t Call Me Darling. Read the full post (524 words, 3 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Religion and Belief Discrimination, sex discrimination

Race The Sun 2012

Posted on 24/04/2012 by Michael Scutt • 2 Comments

Tax Coding Notice 2012 2013 2 829x1024 Race The Sun 2012 miscellaneous stuff charidee

 

Given all the rain we’re having at the moment it may seem inappropriate to write about the Sun, but come the 1st September I hope he’ll have his hat on and if not playing, at least putting in an appearance. For on that day I will be cycling, walking and canoeing for charity in an event called “Race the Sun” in the Lake District.

 

iStock 000008578435XSmall 300x197 Race The Sun 2012 miscellaneous stuff charidee

Thirlmere from the top of Helvellyn

This is a preview of Race The Sun 2012. Read the full post (485 words, 4 images, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Charidee, Miscellaneous Stuff

Employer Liable for Employee’s Injuries Sustained During Sex Session

Posted on 21/04/2012 by Michael Scutt • 1 Comment

Employers in the UK might think are vulnerable to any manner of speculative or vexatious claims from employees, however they should be grateful they aren’t in Australia, where a recent case will have the Institute of Directors and Tory MPs spluttering into their copies of the Daily Telegraph.

 Roll on Friday, the purveyor of legal news and salacious gossip, carried this story (which also featured in the Australian Telegraph) about an HR executive required to travel for a meeting and to stay overnight in a motel.  During this overnight stay she had sex with a male acquaintance (not a work colleague), which led to her sustaining facial injuries and psychiatric injury from a falling light fitting.

This is a preview of Employer Liable for Employee’s Injuries Sustained During Sex Session. Read the full post (279 words, 2 images, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)
Filed Under: News, Personal Injury

I Turn, You Turn, We Intern

Posted on 20/04/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

Sponsored Post

What is an intern?  There is no legal definition that I’m aware of, but words like “skivvy”, exploitation, and, less pejoratively, work experience come to mind when discussing internships.

This is a preview of I Turn, You Turn, We Intern. Read the full post (478 words, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Employment Policies

Compensation for Workplace Accidents

Posted on 19/04/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

Sponsored Post

Having an accident at work can bring serious consequences.  As well as the pain and suffering that will inevitably accompany an injury, there may be significant other losses as well, such as loss of earnings or medical treatment fees.  If you can prove that the employer was at fault then it may be possible to recover work accident compensation.

This is a preview of Compensation for Workplace Accidents. Read the full post (334 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
Filed Under: Personal Injury

Why Should Bosses Want Employees’ Facebook Details?

Posted on 26/03/2012 by Michael Scutt • 0 Comments

mbcn574h 300x300 Why Should Bosses Want Employees’ Facebook Details? social media

According to this article in Newstrack India there is a growing trend in the USA for employers to ask new potential new recruits in job interviews for their Facebook log-in details.   It may well not be illegal to make the request (although it may breach Facebook’s rules) but why on earth would an employer want to access an employee’s private Facebook account? The information revealed could well prove to be a poisoned chalice.

poisonedchaliceimages Why Should Bosses Want Employees’ Facebook Details? social media

Mate, don't drink it.

This is a preview of Why Should Bosses Want Employees’ Facebook Details?. Read the full post (410 words, 2 images, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)
Filed Under: social media