If you receive notice of an Employment Tribunal (ET) complaint against you, we strongly advise that you seek professional legal advice as soon as possible. A recent case that reached the Court of Appeal shows the potentially dire consequences of any delay (Office Equipment Systems Limited v Hughes). Continue reading →

Employers can be found vicariously liable for the actions of their staff when these occur in the course of their employment, which can include during an office function, but what is the position when one employee suffers injury at the hands of another at an impromptu get-together some hours after a planned works event has finished? The High Court had found that a recruitment company was not liable for serious injuries inflicted by one member of staff on another in such circumstances, but that decision has now been overturned by the Court of Appeal (Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Limited). Continue reading →

Even apparently innocuous business models can have an unforeseen discriminatory impact. A medical practice faced just such an allegation due to its belief that only full-time doctors could provide the best possible medical care to patients (Ali v Bedford Hill Family Practice). Continue reading →

Staff who are transferred from one employer to another have a right to work under the same terms and conditions as before, but what happens if such provisions become obsolete? That was the issue facing the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in a guideline case. Continue reading →

Some forms of workplace misconduct may appear to be so serious as to obviously justify dismissal as a matter of common sense. However, as an instructive decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) showed, the need for even-handed fairness and consistency is a constant in every employment case, no matter how grave (Doy v Clays Limited). Continue reading →

In the heat of office disputes, it is only too easy for employers to unwisely take hasty action and make accusations that do not stand up to proof. A High Court case in the context of the insurance industry showed just how costly a failure to take stock and seek legal advice can be (Brown and Another v Neon Management Services Limited and Another). Continue reading →

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has issued guidance informing job applicants and employers of the legal requirements appertaining to employment references. Continue reading →