‘People tend to think these battles have been won’: Next equal pay claimant on fight for recognition – The Guardian

‘During an average shift on the shop floor at Next, Helen Scarsbrook has to remain polite and keep smiling while she makes split-second judgments about which customers need help and which need to be tactfully discouraged from shoplifting and ushered out of the store.’

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The Guardian, 1st September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Face of British army recruitment drive wins payout for racist and sexist abuse – The Guardian

‘A former soldier who appeared on recruitment posters for the British army has received a settlement and an apology after taking it to an employment tribunal over the racist and sexist abuse she was subjected to during her career.’

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The Guardian, 2nd August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

UN concern over disciplinary case against UK lawyer for ‘boys’ club’ remarks – The Guardian

‘Four UN special rapporteurs have warned that disciplinary proceedings against a female barrister for saying a judge had shown a “boys’ club attitude” may send “a disconcerting message” to lawyers challenging gender bias in custody and domestic abuse cases.’

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The Guardian, 16th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Not just banter” – secretary wins sexual harassment claim against law firm – Legal Futures

‘A legal secretary has won her claim of sexual harassment against a law firm whose owner was jokingly described by a colleague as a “sexual predator”.’

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Legal Futures, 5th July 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Different treatment for other boroughs – discriminatory policy – Nearly Legal

‘AK, R (On the Application Of) v Westminster City Council (2024) EWHC 769 (Admin). This was a judicial review of Westminster’s Allocation policy as it applied to ‘reciprocal transfers’ between another borough and Westminster.’

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Nearly Legal, 23rd June 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Hull hospital doctor struck off for ‘sexual harassment’ – BBC News

‘A doctor who inappropriately touched two junior female colleagues has been struck off the medical register.’

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BBC News, 28th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The new law on sexual harassment in the workplace – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 29th, 2024 in employment, equality, harassment, local government, news, sex discrimination by tracey

‘The Government has recently passed new legislation to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 is due to come into force on 26 October 2024. Nicole Natur takes a closer look at the Act and how it will impact employers, as well as the steps that should be taken in order to prepare for the change.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Schoolgirls treated differently to boys – Ofsted – BBC News

‘Girls at a Bradford primary school told Ofsted inspectors they are treated differently to boys during an inspection last September.’

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BBC News, 7th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Martine Croxall, Annita McVeigh, Karin Giannone and Kasia Madera begin legal action against BBC – BBC News

Posted May 2nd, 2024 in age discrimination, BBC, equal pay, media, news, sex discrimination by sally

‘Four presenters have begun legal action against the BBC on grounds of sex and age discrimination and equal pay.’

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BBC News, 1st May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bar earnings gap a “serious cultural and structural problem” – Legal Futures

‘The earnings gap between male and female barristers is not explained by caring responsibilities, choice of practice area, or amount of legally aided work”, new research by the Bar Council has found.’

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Legal Futures, 24th April 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court finds Local Authority’s housing policy to be discriminatory against women and girls escaping violence in successful judicial review challenge – Garden Court Chambers

‘The High Court has held that part of Westminster City Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme is unlawful, as it indirectly discriminates against women and girls who need to move borough to escape violence.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 10th April 2024

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

High Court finds Westminster housing policy indirectly discriminatory towards women needing to move to escape violence – Local Government Lawyer

‘A claimant has won a judicial review challenge in the High Court over Westminster City Council’s decision to refuse to agree to her request for a “reciprocal transfer” into accommodation in its area.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 9th April 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Yorkshire woman wins discrimination case after boss called her ‘emotional and tearful’ – The Guardian

‘Describing a pregnant woman as “very emotional and tearful” in the workplace amounted to discrimination, a tribunal has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Migrant Work, Gender and the Hostile Environment: A Human Rights Analysis – Industrial Law Journal

‘This article addresses work-related and gendered harms of the “hostile environment”, a set of measures implemented through the Immigration Acts of 2014 and 2016, which aims to make life in the UK impossible for irregular migrants. The hostile environment criminalises work without legal status, facilitates data sharing between public bodies and immigration enforcement, and restricts access services and benefits. The article examines factors that can make women susceptible to irregularity and exposure to hostile environment measures, and distinctive forms of gendered harm such as workplace sexual harassment. It argues that the detrimental impacts of the hostile environment contravene international and regional human rights obligations. Barring certain migrants from access to the labour market may violate the socio-economic right to work and/ or the right to private and family life, while a lack of access to legal remedy or labour inspection fuelled can violate migrants’ right to decent work and undermine protections against forced labour. The UK’s recent ratification of the Council of Europe’s “Istanbul Convention” and ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work signifies a renewed commitment to safeguarding women regardless of migration status, but the universalistic potential of these instruments is undermined by the hostile environment’s continued operation.’

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Industrial Law Journal, March 2024

Source: academic.oup.com

Black women at the Bar: challenges faced and a fairer future – Counsel

‘Bibi Badejo reports from a packed Inns of Court Women’s Alliance event examining the experiences of Black women barristers and imparting crucial advice for Black women navigating the legal profession.’

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Counsel, 19th February 2024

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Union reports MoD to watchdog over handling of sexual abuse allegations – The Guardian

‘The Ministry of Defence has been reported to the equalities watchdog after claims from female civil servants that it has failed adequately to address allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The union Prospect wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) asking for an investigation into whether the MoD was failing in its public sector equalities duty in relation to discrimination, harassment and victimisation. The EHRC will now have to decide whether to take action.’

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The Guardian, 14th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police officer forced to strip down to her underwear wins £800,000 in discrimination case – The Independent

Posted January 11th, 2024 in compensation, employment tribunals, harassment, news, police, sex discrimination by sally

‘A former firearms officer who was forced to strip down to her underwear during training has won over £800,000 in a sex discrimination case against West Midlands Police.’

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The Independent, 10th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK’s human-rights watchdog at risk of UN downgrade – The Guardian

‘Britain’s equality watchdog could lose its right to participate at the UN human rights council as a result of complaints about its independence and record on transgender rights.’

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The Guardian, 28th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Equal pay: recent challenges – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 28th, 2023 in equal pay, local government, news, sex discrimination by tracey

‘When it comes to job evaluation schemes and equal pay claims, where does the risk lie and what can be done to mitigate it? Sarah Lamont and Charlotte Rose explain.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Sixty women at MoD complain of widespread ‘toxic’ and ‘hostile’ behaviour – The Guardian

‘Sixty senior women at the UK’s Ministry of Defence have described a “hostile” and “toxic” culture at the department in a letter that alleges sexual assault, harassment and abuse by male colleagues.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com