Employment Law E-Bulletin

Jan 08

QUICK LINK

Read this month's cases in detail

*************

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER: NEW YEAR- SAME OLD PROBLEMS FOR EMPLOYERS

As employees return to work for the New Year, employers are facing some familiar ‘wintry’ problems in the workplace. In this month’s bulletin we look at how best to tackle these issues.

Read full article

*************

CASES

Royal Mail Letters & Ors v Muhammad

This case is another example of the complexities of the statutory grievance procedure. In this decision the EAT has, once again, tackled the thorny issue of what is required content wise when an employee submits a grievance.

Padgett v (1) Serota and (2) Trustees of the Tate Gallery

This rather eccentric case shows that there is a limit to what can count as ‘employment’ and therefore to what can be protected under discrimination law.

Straight Bouncer wins Discrimination Claim

This case is interesting in that it is the first reported situation in which sexual orientation legislation has been used to protect the rights of a heterosexual worker.

Read this month's cases in detail

*************

LEGISLATION

This month we are highlighting The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2007, SI 2007/3750 

This legislation implements this year’s increases to the compensation limits.

The key increases are:

To the limit of a week’s pay that can be taken into account for the purposes of an unfair dismissal basic award and for statutory redundancy payments. This will rise to £330 (currently £310); and

To the maximum compensatory award that can be given. This will increase to £63,000 (currently £60,600).

The Order comes into force on 1st February 2008 and will affect all dismissals which take place after that date.

*************

EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR LINE MANAGERS

This practical full day course will give line managers the confidence, knowledge and skills to deal with difficult, but common employment issues before they get out of hand:

*personality clashes
*worker under-performance and disciplinary action
*petty complaints and grievances
*flexible working requests
*"We've always done it like this" objections

Suitable for both new and  experienced managers, this seminar takes place on 11th March 2008 at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith

£95 plus VAT per delegate
9.30am - 4.30pm (lunch included)

To make a booking, email Angela Huck or download the booking form on Burnetts' events pages.

*************

For further information on the issues featured here or any other employment law issue contact Burnetts' employment law solicitors on 01228 552222.

Jan 2008