Podcast: COVID-19 employment tribunal decisions
How are employment tribunals approaching claims arising from the coronavirus pandemic? We explore the most important decisions handed down so far this year and discuss their practical implications for HR, including cases relating to: health and safety; the furlough scheme; varying terms and conditions; and flexible working requests.
We also highlight other claims to have on your radar relating to the pandemic, where decisions are expected in 2022.
This is an important case for HR to look at if, now the furlough scheme is no longer available, the employer's thinking about asking employees to agree to reduce their pay as a way to reduce or avoid the need for redundancies. A proper consultation process needs to be carried out, and the controversial practice of dismissing employees and re-engaging them on less favourable terms (often referred to as 'fire and rehire') should be a last resort.
Stephen Simpson
Related resources
- COVID-related employment cases: 10 key lessons for employers
- Coronavirus employment tribunal round-up: Employees raising health and safety concerns
- Coronavirus: Dismissal for refusing to wear face mask was fair
- Sending pregnant worker home during COVID-19 pandemic
- Furlough scheme and unfair dismissal: Employment tribunal round-up
- Coronavirus: Constructive dismissal after remote working request denied
- Listen to previous podcasts
