March

EEOC reports big increase in discrimination claims

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received a total of 82,792 discrimination claims in 2007, the highes volume since 2002 and the largest annual increase (9%) since the early 1990s. Statistics also show that over $345 million was recovered in compensation. 

£64.000 compensation for race discrimination

Honda, the car manufacturer, has been ordered to pay £64,000 in compensation to an Indian worker who decided that he had no alternative but to resign after suffering racial abuse which caused a deterioration in both his physical and mental health.

EC acts to close gaps in employment equality rules 

The EU Commission has sent reasoned opinions to 10 Member States requiring them to implement fully EU rules prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation on the grounds of religion and belief, age, disability and sexual orientation.

Independent inquiry into human rights announced

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has announced the launch of an inquiry into human rights in the UK after an opinion poll showed that 40% of respondents have either not heard the phrase 'human rights' or were unable to name any of the protected rights.

Pay commission proposed for agency workers    

In reference to Gibbons review of workplace dispute resolution (including repeal of the statutory dispute resolution procedures does the package of replacement measures implemented actively  encourage early/informal resolution?

Protected from in vitro fertilization dismissal

In Mayr v Bäckerei und Konditorei Gerhard Flöckner, the ECJ ruled that women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment, who have had their ova fertilized but not yet implanted, are not 'pregnant', and thus are not protected from dismissal by the Pregnant Workers Directive. However, the dismissal of a women, if related to her in vitro fertilization treatment, amounts to discrimination on the ground of sex contrary to the Equal Treatment Directive, since only women receive such treatment.

Homophobic 'banter' was not discriminatory

In English v Thomas Sanderson Blinds, the EAT held that protection from harassment under Regulation 5 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 does not extend to those who are known to be heterosexual, but nevertheless are subjected to homophobic abuse.