Calling women ‘birds’ is ‘plainly sexist’, judge rules as Barclays banker wins discrimination claim – The Independent

‘A UK judge has ruled that calling women “birds” is “plainly sexist,” and even using the term jokingly is “foolish” in a landmark discrimination case. The ruling came following a tribunal brought by a Barclays investment banker after her boss repeatedly called women “birds.” ‘

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The Independent, 22nd September 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK staff to gain right to request flexible working from day one – The Guardian

Posted September 21st, 2021 in consultations, equality, flexible working, news, reasons by sally

‘Employees will have the right to request flexible working from the moment they start a job, with companies obliged to explain their reasons if it is then refused, the government will propose in a consultation document this week.’

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The Guardian, 20th September 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Is The End of Online Parliamentary Debates A Human Rights Issue? – Each Other

‘The Government stopped remote working in Parliament in July, leaving some representatives locked out. Now, a cross-section of MPs are calling on the Leader of the House of Commons to reinstate it.’

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Each Other, 8th September 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Woman refused 5pm finish wins £185,000 payout – BBC News

‘Alice Thompson wanted to work shorter hours to pick her daughter up from nursery, but ended up resigning.’

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BBC News, 7th September 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Can Your Employer Cut Your Pay For Working Remotely? – Each Other

Posted August 26th, 2021 in coronavirus, disabled persons, employment, flexible working, news, remuneration by sally

‘As the UK eases back into in-person work environments, some employers are considering pay cuts for employees who elect to work remotely.’

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Each Other, 25th August 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Employer reasonable adjustment requirements highlighted in pay dispute – OUT-LAW.com

‘A recent ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) provides useful guidance for employers about their obligations to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to pay to account for employee disability, an employment law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 6th August 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Evaluation of flexible court hours stresses need to get lawyers onboard – Legal Futures

Posted August 3rd, 2021 in courts, flexible working, legal profession, news, pilot schemes by sally

‘Flexible operating hours (FOH) can make it easier for people to access civil and family justice, but there needs to a lot more work to bring solicitors and barristers on board, research into two pilot schemes has said.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd August 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Indirect Discrimination Against Working Mothers – Littleton Chambers

‘On 22 June 2021, the President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal handed down judgment in Dobson v North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust UKEAT/0220/19/LA. CLICK HERE to read the judgment.’

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Littleton Chambers, 23rd June 2021

Source: littletonchambers.com

Revise sickness policies ahead of UK winter flu – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, sick leave, vaccination by sally

‘UK employers should revise their sickness policies before an anticipated increase in seasonal flu cases this winter to ensure lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic are reflected, an employment law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

What employees need to know about their rights during COVID – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, remuneration by sally

‘Since the start of the global COVID pandemic, many employees have experienced upheaval, uncertainty, and disruption within their jobs. Some employees have experienced worry about their own personal safety when they are present at their place of work. For others, being furloughed might have put their long-term career aspirations into doubt. With COVID restrictions now easing and the UK firmly following the roadmap out of lockdown, new questions are emerging about employee rights. However, it is important to remember that all employees still have significant rights during COVID.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 21st June 2021

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

Signs of progress as courts support barrister’s childcare responsibilities – Legal Futures

Posted June 24th, 2021 in barristers, breastfeeding, children, courts, flexible working, news, women by sally

‘A barrister has spoken about her “really positive” recent experiences of courts accommodating “the practicalities and balancing acts being carried out by those with children”.’

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Legal Futures, 24th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

NHS nurse sacked over weekend working wins landmark ruling – The Guardian

‘A community nurse who was sacked for not agreeing to work weekends has won a “landmark” ruling for working mothers after a judge said employment tribunals must take childcare disparity into account.’

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The Guardian, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Giving staff legal right to work from home will ‘cause corporate chaos’, businesses warn – The Independent

‘Businesses have warned Boris Johnson’s government that any attempt to give employees the legal right to work from home would cause “chaos” in offices across the country.’

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The Independent, 17th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Senior City lawyers want to continue working flexibly – or will leave – Legal Futures

Posted April 16th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, law firms, news, solicitors by tracey

‘The major City law firms are on notice that their big hitters want a permanent post-Covid change in work patterns or some will look to leave, new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 16th April 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Homeworking now a “reasonable adjustment” for disabled lawyers – Legal Futures

‘Employment tribunals may in future need to recognise that homeworking has become an established “reasonable adjustment” to working practices for disabled people, including lawyers, a webinar heard last week.’

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Legal Futures, 9th November 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Female lawyers anxious over disproportionate impact of Covid – Legal Futures

‘Almost a quarter of women in the profession have not seen their incomes return to pre-Covid levels with one in five still on less than their previous working hours, a survey has found.’

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Legal Futures, 23rd October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Brian Napier QC on Remote Working and Employment Rights – Cloisters

Posted October 21st, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news by sally

‘Recent events have shown both the scope the internet offers for working away from the office, and the readiness of many employers to contemplate such a change in the working patterns of their white-collar staff. While there are many reservations about the net benefits of remote working (not least because of the impact it has on inner-city businesses struggling to survive with a reduced customer base), there are indications that a fairly major shift in practice is taking place.’

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Cloisters, 9th October 2020

Source: www.cloisters.com

Female advocates “to lose instructions” with longer court hours – Legal Futures

Posted September 29th, 2020 in barristers, carers, coronavirus, courts, flexible working, news, solicitors, women, working time by sally

‘Criminal advocates unable to accommodate courts’ extended operating hours (EOH) – who are disproportionately women – are likely to miss out instructions even though they can ask for hearings to be held during regular hours instead, research has warned.’

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Legal Futures, 29th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB outlines concern over post-virus ‘virtual’ chambers – Legal Futures

Posted May 22nd, 2020 in barristers, coronavirus, flexible working, news, pupillage by sally

‘Some chambers may choose to continue operating virtually once the Covid-19 crisis passes, with “significant implications” for their support services and collegiality, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) heard yesterday.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Working from Home during COVID-19 – Thomas More Chambers

‘During these unprecedented times, working from home on a full-time basis has become the ‘new normal’. This is in stark contrast to before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began, when out of 32.6 million people in employment, only 1.7 million regularly worked from home. The change to enforced homeworking was swift and represented significant changes to the lifestyle and routines of both employers and employees, which, in turn, creates a number of legal and practical issues for employers. It is currently unknown how long homeworking will last for, or indeed if the outbreak of COVID-19 will cause a shift towards homeworking on a permanent basis.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 30th April 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk