End of employment
In Courtaulds Northern Spinning Ltd v Sibson the Court of Appeal considers whether the transfer of an employee, a heavy goods vehicle driver, from one depot to a depot one mile away breached the employee's contract of employment.
In Dietman v London Borough of Brent the Court of Appeal upholds the High Court's ruling that a local authority acted unlawfully when it dismissed a senior social worker for gross negligence without holding a disciplinary hearing in accordance with its disciplinary procedure.
In Elder v Clydebank Co-operative Society Ltd the EAT in Scotland orders a rehearing of a constructive dismissal complaint after an industrial tribunal failed to consider whether an employers' refusal to allow an employee to appeal against a decision to transfer her to another branch amounted to constructive dismissal.
In Rigby v Ferodo Ltd the House of Lords confirms that employees whose wages are reduced without their consent are entitled to claim the full amount of their continuing loss, and are not limited to a claim for the loss suffered during their notice period.
In Lawton v BOC Transhield Ltd the High Court rules that an employer owes an ex-employee a duty of care when giving a reference to a prospective employer. But the court holds that the defendant company was not negligent in the particular circumstances as there was ample evidence to support the opinions expressed in the reference.
In Caledonian Mining Company Ltd v Bassett and another the EAT holds that an industrial tribunal was entitled to conclude, on the facts before it, that a group of employees had been dismissed within the meaning of s.83(2) of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 when they were inveigled into resigning by their employers.
Many collective agreements state that they are to be "binding in honour only". In Marley v Forward Trust Group Ltd the Court of Appeal holds that this applies between the parties to the agreement, ie the union and employer, and does not affect the legal enforceability of terms of collective agreements which are incorporated into contracts of employment of individuals.
In Marshall v Southampton and South-West Hampshire Area Health Authority (26.2.86) EOR7E, the European Court of Justice rules that compulsory retirement of men and women at different ages contravenes the EEC Equal Treatment Directive.
In Brown and others v Knowsley Borough Council the EAT upholds an industrial tribunal's ruling that a temporary teacher employed by a local authority on an MSC funded course was engaged under a contract for a specific purpose (ie a contract to last only for so long as was necessary to fulfil its purpose).
In Transport & General Workers' Union v Ledbury Preserves (1928) Ltd [1985] IRLR 412 EAT, the EAT held that in a potential redundancy situation there must be "sufficient meaningful" consultation before notices of dismissal are sent out.
Employment law cases: HR and legal information and guidance relating to the end of employment.