HR Focus - June 2010

We are planning seminars in Liverpool and Manchester on the difference between employees, agency workers and self employed.  For details or to book your free place, visit our website

We are also still collating feedback on the new fit notes.  So far the responses seem to vary by location with some areas showing doctors sticking to the status quo and just ticking “not fit to work”.  Other areas have seen doctors giving the new tick boxes a try but with mixed success as often the recommendations are not suitable for the employer.  Let us know your thoughts and experiences by emailing askemployment@weightmans.com.

Legislation update

Mark Landon, Partner in the London team, considers the potential, under the Equality Act, for Claimants to bring combined discrimination claims and the impact that this will have on employers and the Tribunals.

Dismissal via third party information

A v B.  Mandy Higgins, Associate in the Liverpool team looks at this recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decision and the guidance it gives to employers looking to dismiss employees on the basis of information provided by third parties.

Equal pay update

Jawaid Rehman, Associate in the Midlands team considers the recent decisions in City of Edinburgh Council v Wilkinson & Others and Barker & Others v Birmingham City Council and provides an update on the Tribunals’ approach to Equal Pay claims.

World Cup working arrangements

In an article previously published in Personnel Today, Jane Hobson, Partner in the Midlands team looks at provisions that employers might want to put in place to deal with the World Cup and discusses the potential difficulties that they may face.

Question and answer

And finally, in our regular question and answer feature, Warren King, HR Consultant in the Resources Strategic Directorate of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead asks Mike Berriman, Partner in the London team: “When an employer seeks to impose new terms and conditions of employment, what are the main steps you would recommend the employer takes to avoid or minimise the risk of unfair dismissal claims?” 

Questions or comments? Email askemployment@weightmans.com or call Laura Kearsley, the editor on 0121 200 3480, we’d love to hear from you!