New ACAS Guidance on “Whistleblowing at work”
ACAS have recently published new guidance for employers and employees on speaking up at work. “Whistleblowing in the workplace” is an easy to understand and digestible read and covers:
29 June 2023
Working Time Regulations changes
The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) were originally introduced to enshrine the EU Working Time Directive (WTD) into our domestic law, as was a requirement of our EU membership at the time. As well as setting out the statutory rules on maximum weekly working hours, rest breaks, rest periods and minimum paid holiday, the WTR require all employers to keep and maintain written records that adequately show their compliance with the WTR provisions.
28 June 2023
Are WhatsApp messages on a work laptop private?
With the seemingly ever-increasing use of social media, many employers might find themselves wondering about the status of private messages when a workplace dispute arises. A recent High Court case, FKJ v. RVT and others, looked at this issue and suggests the use of caution.
27 June 2023
Court of Session rules that original grievance report was not subject to legal advice privilege
In the appeal case of University Of Dundee v Mr Prasun Chakraborty the respondent was a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant with the appellants. On 30 November 2021, he raised a grievance alleging racial abuse, harassment, bullying and discrimination by his line manager. The appellants appointed an independent member of academic staff to investigate and produce a report.
26 June 2023
Employment Tribunal finds that sales assistant was victim of sexual harassment by colleague and harassment related to sex by appeal hearing investigator
In the case of Ms D v E Ltd, Mr F and Ms G the claimant was a young woman aged 19 employed by the first respondent (E Ltd) as a sales assistant. The second respondent, Mr F, has been employed by E Ltd as a sales assistant since 2014. Mr F is a man who was in his early 40s at the relevant time.
23 June 2023
Charity worker wins unfair dismissal claim after being told by her manager that she had ‘gone above her station’ by filling in HR payroll form
In the case of Ms G Howson v Restore (Cumbria) the respondent is a registered charity which sells recycled pre-owned items in its shops in the Carlisle and Penrith areas. The claimant started working with the respondent on 21st June 2021. She was contracted to work 30 hours per week at £8.91 per hour. However, the claimant worked at least 35 hours per week from 25th June 2021 onwards but was paid for only 30 hours throughout her employment.
22 June 2023
Absence/Discrimination: ACAS publishes advice on absence trigger points
ACAS has published advice on absence review points. Some organisations have absence policies that set automatic triggers to review absence. They're sometimes called 'trigger points' or 'review points'. There are no legal rules about how or when absence should be reviewed. It depends on what works for an organisation.
21 June 2023
Lorry driver loses unfair dismissal claim after live streaming offensive song about Michaela McAreavey who was murdered on honeymoon
In the case of Andrew McDade v Norman Emerson Group Limited the respondent is a family-owned business which has operated for over 75 years in mid-Ulster. It provides sand, stone and other building materials to a wide range of customers across the island of Ireland, including the GAA, building contractors and members of the public. It employs a mixed workforce.
20 June 2023
Bedding manufacturer fined £80,000 after machine operator loses fingers
A leading bedding manufacturer has been fined £80,000 after an employee suffered horrific injuries when his hand was drawn into a machine.
19 June 2023
Nursery worker wins unfair dismissal claim after being accused of being drunk at work and discussing sex life in front of children
In Millie Davey v Swans Day Nurseries Ltd the claimant was employed by the respondent, latterly as a Senior Nursery Practitioner. The claimant appears to have been a valued member of the nursery staff.
16 June 2023