April

Demand for working beyond state pension age set to soar

The demand for working beyond 65 looks set to increase markedly in the next 15 years, according to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), ‘Future demand for working among older workers'. Based on a survey of 1,000 workers aged between 50 and 64 years, the research shows that just under two fifths (38%) of individuals plan to carry on working beyond 65.

Teenager awarded £16,000 compensation in age discrimination claim

Teenager, Leanne Wilkinson, became the first young worker in the UK to be awarded compensation under anti-age discrimination legislation, following completion of a full tribunal hearing. The employer made a stereotypical assumption that capability equals experience and experience equals older age. The tribunal found that Ms Wilkinson had been dismissed for being ‘too young' and awarded her more than £16,000 

Equality & Human Rights Commission launches YouTube channel 

The Equality & Human Rights Commission launched its new You Tube channel on 2 April. The Commission will use this and other social networking sites to tell people about its work promoting fairness, equality and human rights. The new channel features a range of video clips relating to the Commission's work, explaining why equality is everyone's right.

Transsexual driver wins sex discrimination claim

A transsexual lorry driver has won a sex discrimination claim after being forced out of her job weeks after arriving dressed as a woman. Vikki-Marie Gaynor, formerly known as Mike, started having routes changed so she was more likely to be abused by customers and was harassed by fellow workers who called her a ‘queer', made offensive gestures towards her and dumped her make-up in a bin bag.

Walgreens to pay $24 million in landmark race discrimination class action

A federal judge in St Louis, USA, has granted a consent decree resolving a class action race discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Walgreen, a national drug store chain. The decree is one of the largest monetary settlements ever in a race case, and provides for the payment of over $24 million to thousands of African American workers and orders Walgreen to improve its promotion and job assignment practices.

Changes to Sex Discrimination Act come into force

The former Equal Opportunities Commission successfully brought judicial review proceedings against the Government in relation to some of the amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made in 2005 to implement the Equal Treatment (Amendment) Directive. The Court's judgment required the Government to make some changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 in respect of harassment, pregnancy and maternity leave. The resulting amendments set out in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Amendment) Regulations 2008 will have a significant impact on employers' harassment and maternity polices.

Guide shows how to achieve an inclusive diversity strategy

Roffey Park has published a new guide to diversity and equality, designed to help organisations implement a diversity strategy that is long-term and linked to business objectives. The guide reflects the growing recognition that shifting demographics, increasing legislation and the need to attract talented applicants from a wide pool, all mean that diversity must be a core business issue for every organisation.