Uber: Employee, or not?
Many of our customers rely heavily on sub-contractors, treating them as independent operatives for employment and tax purposes.
The ‘Gay Cake’ case
Is it discriminatory for a devout Christian baker to refuse to bake a cake bearing the message ‘Support Gay Marriage’? No, the Supreme Court has said in Lee v Ashers Bakery. Mr Lee is a gay rights activist in Northern Ireland. He ordered a cake saying ‘Support Gay Marriage’.
Why is British Productivity so Low?
Economist and workplace commentator Stephanie Hare has published ideas on why British productivity is so low – meetings. According to Ms Hare, conference calls and video conferencing are the worst offenders.
Whistleblowing
Can co-workers be liable for whistleblowing dismissals along with the employer?
We Support Mental Health First Aid
It seems, at long last, that we are finally getting somewhere with regard to the provision of mental ill health first aid.
Vicarious Liability
Is an employer liable for a drunken assault which happens after a work party has finished? Sometimes, said the Court of Appeal in Bellman v Northampton Recruitment. Mr Major was managing director of Northampton Recruitment.
Unfair Dismissal
Should an employer always have a meeting before dismissing an employee for some other substantial reason (SOSR)? Not always, said the Employment Appeal Tribunal in Hawkes v Ausin Group.
Consultation on Reforming Employment Law Hearings
The Law Commission has issued a consultation paper on reforming the court structure for employment law and associated claims. It is seeking views on several issues including:
Harassment
Is it harassment to call an employee a ‘fat ginger pikey’? Not in Evans v Xactly the Employment Appeal Tribunal has said. The employee was a sales executive with type 1 diabetes and links to the traveller community.
Data Protection Breach
Is an employer responsible for the actions of an employee who has ‘gone rogue’ and deliberately posted sensitive employee data online? Yes, the Court of Appeal has said in Morrisons v Various Claimants. Mr Skelton was an internal auditor at Morrisons. He had been recently disciplined and held a grudge against the company. He took…