Sector focus
In East of England Ambulance NHS Trust v Flowers and others, the Court of Appeal held that ambulance workers are contractually entitled to have voluntary overtime included in the calculation of their holiday pay and, under the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC), to have it included where it is sufficiently regular and settled.
In Ali v Capita Customer Management Ltd; Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police v Hextall, the Court of Appeal rejected sex discrimination claims brought by male staff against employers that enhance maternity pay but not shared parental pay.
In Kuteh v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, the Court of Appeal held that the NHS trust fairly dismissed a Christian nurse for initiating inappropriate conversations about religion with patients in breach of a lawful management instruction.
We look at some of the initiatives that have been taken to boost recruitment in the police sector, and highlight what the police can learn from HM Prison and Probation Service's recruitment campaign.
In light of new guidance for local government employers on term-time workers, consultant editor Darren Newman looks for a simple way to calculate the holiday entitlement of employees who work only during school terms.
While positive action in recruitment is laudable, and to be encouraged as a means of overcoming disadvantage and low participation, employers need to think very carefully about how they go about it, because if they make mistakes the cost may be high. Jason Braier explains why.
Although a recent Court of Appeal decision concerning suspension in relation to safeguarding concerns provides an element of reassurance for employers, consultant editor Darren Newman explains why suspension should still be used only sparingly.
In Elliott v RMS Cash Solutions Ltd, a Northern Ireland tribunal held that a cash transit firm fairly dismissed an employee whose Snapchat posts revealed a colleague's personal details. The posts increased the risk of "tiger kidnapping", which involves staff or their families being kidnapped to force staff to help commit a crime.
In Flemming v East of England Ambulance Services NHS Trust, an employment tribunal held that an NHS Trust discriminated against a mentally ill employee by dismissing him for gross misconduct following his failure to attend a sickness absence review meeting and occupational health appointments.
Consultant editor Darren Newman considers whistleblowing in the NHS, focusing on the public interest test and the danger of working on the basis that an allegation is malicious.
HR and legal information, news and guidance relating to specific industry sectors.