HR Articles

Most of us are likely to be spending Valentine’s Day at work and, although many people will be separated from their partners, those looking for love may not need to look any further than across the office or shop floor. Whilst good working relationships are important for a successful business, it is not uncommon for these relationships to stray beyond the boundaries of a professional working relationship and into the realms of romance.

Today the Court of Appeal has handed down its decision in a case brought by plumber Gary Smith against Pimlico Plumbers. The Court upheld an earlier Employment Tribunal decision that Mr Smith was a worker and not self-employed.

It’s being reported that Starbucks in the US is offering employees and their families free immigration advice from Ernst & Young following President Trump’s controversial ‘travel ban’. A spokesperson for the coffee chain told the website Buzzfeed that the service is helping staff “navigate through this confusing period”.

In a notable judgement, the High Court refused an application to order compliance with a subject access request (SAR) on the basis that searches had been reasonable and proportionate and legal professional privilege was properly claimed.

In the case of Metroline RATPDEV Ltd v Morris, the EAT held the Claimant’s activities of storing, using or disseminating confidential information did not amount to ‘trade union activities’ and did not, therefore, attract the protection of automatic unfair dismissal.

It is accepted that attendance at religious festivals can constitute a manifestation of religious belief giving rise to indirect discrimination claims, however, the EAT in Gareddu v London Underground Ltd held that the employee’s request must be genuine

In Adesokan v Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision that a failure to act can, in certain situations, amount to gross misconduct.

We reported last year (Apprenticeship levy update) on the government’s plans to introduce an apprenticeship levy of 0.5% for all employers with a total annual payroll bill in excess of £3m. The start date for the new scheme, (6 April 2017), is almost upon us which has prompted the government to publish guidance on how the levy will actually work in practice.

Last week the Government responded to calls from MPs on the Woman and Equalities Committee to give pregnant women and mothers greater legal protection in the workplace.

In Davies v Droylsden Academy, the claimant was a lettings manager at a company which provided property services to Droylsden Academy.