HR Focus - May 2010

A warm welcome to this month’s edition of HR Focus

The impact of the coalition government on employment and HR issues is beginning to be felt.  Cost cutting in the public sector is likely to be a major issue for HR practitioners in that sector.  The cuts are likely to be extensive and could start sooner than anticipated.

Employers will also be faced with a cap on immigration and this may thwart some recruitment plans.

Some increase in national insurance contributions for lower paid workers still looks likely although the burden on employers may remain the same.

In this month’s edition we focus particularly on the Equality Act, fit notes and an interesting case on reasonable adjustments.

The Equality Act

The Equality Act has now passed through the final stages of parliament and is likely to be implemented later in the year.  Stuart Jones, Partner in the Liverpool team considers some of the key elements of the Act and their impact on employers.

Reasonable adjustments

In the recent case of Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police v Jelic, the EAT agreed with the Employment Tribunal’s finding that swapping the role of a disabled employee with that of another employee can constitute a reasonable adjustment under the s18B(2) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1996.  Paul McFarlane, Partner in the London team looks at the implications.

Question and answer

And finally, last month saw the introduction of fit notes, replacing sick notes.  Thanks to all of our readers that reported their experiences.  Jane Hobson, Partner in the Midlands team answers deals with a question from Kate Liggins, Head of HR from Ecotec Research & Consulting Limited who asks “Under the new fit-note system, if a doctor recommends that an employee is fit for work in some capacity, but not for the full remit of their role, what should they be paid?  Their normal rate or a rate deemed suitable for the duties they are undertaking?”

Readers with any questions or comments can email on askemployment@weightmans.com  or call Laura Kearsley, the editor on 0121 200 3480.

This update does not attempt to provide a full analysis of those matters with which it deals and is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for legal advice. Weightmans LLP accepts no responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on the information in this update. The copyright in this update is owned by Weightmans.