Court of Appeal adopts intervener’s submissions in Higgs v Farmor’s School and upholds guidance provided by the EAT in landmark case of manifestation of religion and belief – Cloisters Chambers

‘The Court of Appeal has today upheld the guidance provided by the EAT, that was proposed by Sarah Fraser Butlin KC for the Archbishops’ Council, in a major decision concerning the question of how courts and tribunals should approach religious or philosophical belief discrimination cases concerning the manifestation of belief – when people are treated less favourably because they have done or said something expressing their protected beliefs. The guidance will be of real practical assistance to employers and employees.’

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Cloisters Chambers, 12th February 2025

Source: www.cloisters.com

School employee wins Court of Appeal battle over dismissal for Facebook posts on teaching of “gender fluidity” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal from a Christian school employee who was dismissed because she posted messages on her personal Facebook account opposing the teaching in schools, and in particular primary schools, of “gender fluidity” and that same-sex marriage is equivalent to marriage between a man and a woman.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th February 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Can my boss read my WhatsApp messages? Rules around work and privacy explained – The Independent

‘As Labour is embroiled in a scandal over leaked messages from a WhatsApp group, some people have been left wondering about their rights on the app.’

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The Independent, 10th February 2025

Source: www.independent.co.uk

MoD investigates air crew cancers after helicopter claims – BBC News

‘The government is investigating how many military personnel have been diagnosed with cancer, after claims that some helicopters left crew exposed to toxic fumes.’

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BBC News, 10th February 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Work-related stress: a key issue for employers – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 10th, 2025 in employment, local government, mental health, news by tracey

‘Debra Gers looks at the support employers can provide in relation to work-related stress.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 7th February 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Hundreds arrested in New Year illegal worker blitz – BBC News

Posted February 10th, 2025 in bills, deportation, employment, government departments, immigration, news, statistics by tracey

‘Hundreds of migrants have been arrested since the start of this year as part of a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working, the government has said.’

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BBC News, 10th February 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pensions tribunal decisions highlight need for procedural compliance – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 6th, 2025 in appeals, employment, fines, news, ombudsmen, pensions, statistics, tribunals by sally

‘A number of recent UK First-tier Tribunal (FTT) rulings highlight the importance of following the tribunal’s rules, in particular to provide the documentation required in appeals against The Pensions Regulator, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 5th February 2025

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

The McDonald’s Model: What happens next following a McFlurry of harassment complaints? – Doughty Street Chambers

‘In 2019, the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union said it had received around 1,000 complaints from workers across UK branches of McDonald’s [1], although it was not clear whether these complaints were made against multiple franchisees or McDonald’s as the franchisor. The complaints were said to encompass a range of discriminatory behaviours, including sexual harassment.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 29th January 2025

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010: Ryanair DAC v Benjamin Morais & Ors – Devereux Chambers

‘Analysis from Stuart Brittenden KC and Bruce Carr KC.’

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Devereux Chambers, 17th January 2025

Source: www.devereuxchambers.co.uk

Lessons from R (Andrews) v SSHD [2025]: The Risks of Relying Solely on Home Office Guidance – EIN Blog

Posted January 27th, 2025 in employment, immigration, news, regulations, visas, volunteers by tracey

‘The High Court’s recent judgment in R (Andrews) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 64 (Admin), handed down on 17 January 2025, underscores the critical importance of adhering strictly to the Immigration Rules when navigating the UK immigration system. The judgment highlights that you cannot rely solely on Home Office guidance, which does not carry the same legal authority as statutory provisions or the Immigration Rules.’

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EIN Blog, 27th January 2025

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Gig economy firms warned by UK government they may be operating illegally – The Guardian

‘Gig economy companies supplying “freelance” workers to shops, restaurants and warehouses may be operating illegally, the government has warned, after a series of Observer reports highlighting their use.’

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The Guardian, 25th January 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why employers must review their employment contracts after 31.12.2024: Legality of clawback clause – EIN Blog

Posted January 20th, 2025 in employment, government departments, immigration, news by tracey

‘As of 31 December 2024, the Home Office introduced significant updates to its guidance for sponsors of Skilled Workers and Temporary Workers. These changes explicitly prohibit employers from passing specific sponsorship costs onto workers, reinforcing compliance requirements for sponsors. This article explores the key updates, legal implications, and best practices for employers to protect their business and sponsor licence.’

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EIN Blog, 20th January 2025

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Cardiff NHS worker wins tribunal claim over space for expressing breast milk – The Guardian

‘A healthcare worker has won a claim of harassment against an NHS health board after she was not provided with a suitable private space to express breast milk.’

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The Guardian, 15th January 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Former Mishcon director wins ET claim over commission – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 15th, 2025 in employment, employment tribunals, law firms, news, remuneration, unfair dismissal by tracey

‘A former commercial director with London firm Mishcon de Reya was unfairly dismissed after he was not paid commission owed to him for three years, a tribunal has ruled.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 14th January 2025

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Blind man wins £18,500 after bakery sacking – BBC News

‘A blind man sacked during his probation at a bakery amid claims he made mistakes has won £18,500, including £12,000 for injury to feelings.’

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BBC News, 14th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Secretary can sue over mouldy cheese claim – judge – BBC News

‘A former secretary can take legal action over her claims she was penalised for complaining about being served mouldy cheese.’

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BBC News, 12th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Taxation of financial loss from discrimination – 3 Paper Buildings

Posted January 7th, 2025 in chambers articles, compensation, economic loss, employment, income tax, news by tracey

‘Alex Leonhardt reviews the case of L v The Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2024] UKFTT 001044 (TC), in which the FTT considers the question of taxation of a settlement of financial losses from discrimination, and in particular when it is said that the losses flow from being prevented from taking on work.’

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3 Paper Buildings, 19th December 2024

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

McDonald’s workers make fresh harassment claims – BBC News

Posted January 7th, 2025 in bullying, employment, harassment, news, sexual offences by tracey

‘McDonald’s workers have said they are still facing sexual abuse and harassment, a year after the boss promised to clean up behaviour at the fast-food chain.’

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BBC News, 7th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Blacker fails in challenge to Inner Temple’s membership refusal – Legal Futures

‘Alan Blacker – the struck-off solicitor once dubbed by a judge as dressing “like something out of Harry Potter” – has failed in a challenge to a decision refusing him membership of the Bar.’

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Legal Futures, 6th January 2025

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Employment judge dismisses discrimination and unfair dismissal claims in flexible working dispute – Law Society’s Gazette

‘A paralegal who argued she was discriminated against due to her pregnancy, and was unfairly dismissed, has had her employment tribunal claims against a law firm dismissed after a judge found she had resigned from her role.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 6th January 2025

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk