You know it’s illegal to be discriminated against because of your race – but what does that mean in practice? In law, ‘race’ covers nationality, skin colour and ethnic or national origin. The Equality Act 2010 protects you against discrimination regarding: Recruitment Pay Terms and conditions of employment Promotion Discipline and grievance Bullying and harassment …
Going to court or an employment tribunal is an expensive business, and most employers want to avoid it. That’s why you hear of cases that are ‘settled on the court steps’. When you make a claim against your employer, you may need to negotiate a settlement agreement (formerly called compromise agreements and still known by …
When considering unfair dismissal claims, the employment tribunal has to identify the reason for dismissal and then decide whether or not it is fair. Reading the case studies below, you will find that is possible for your previous disciplinary record to be taken into account. Case study 1: Good disciplinary record Mr Spoor worked for …
If you’ve been dismissed and think it’s unfair, first try appealing under your employer’s dismissal or disciplinary procedures. If that doesn’t work, you need professional advice. Try independent arbitration, ACAS (or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland), or go straight to a specialist solicitor to help you make a claim at the employment tribunal. …
According to regulations, all workers must be paid National Minimum Wage (NMW) as an average for all hours worked. As a care worker, this means you may be entitled to be paid NMW for every hour you work at a service user’s home – even while you’re asleep there. A care worker was employed by …
A 2005 investigation by the Equal Opportunities Commission (now the Equalities and Human Rights Commission) found that pregnant women experienced a wide range of negative treatment at work, including: Being dismissed or unfairly chosen for redundancy Being denied promotion and pay increases Having enforced changes to their job, such as having to take lower paid …
Paying for an employment law claim is not quite as simple as going to the sweet shop and buying a Mars Bar. But we try to make it as easy as pie. If you think you have a justifiable claim against your employer, please don’t be put off by the expense. We only act for …
Lost your job? Your employer must have a justifiable and valid reason for dismissing you, and they must act fairly considering the circumstances. For example, they must be consistent – so they generally can’t dismiss you for doing something that other employees are allowed to do. If a complaint has been made about you, they …
Bill has been in his job for 20 years. A younger employee has just been promoted over him. He feels he has been passed over because of his age, and is being forced to retire. Mary’s company is downsizing. As one of the firm’s youngest employees, she’s afraid that she will be first in line …
If you are made redundant, or you make a discrimination claim against your employer, you may reach a settlement agreement. This means you receive an amount of money in return for agreeing not to take your employer to an employment tribunal or court. (Settlement agreements are known as compromise agreements in Northern Ireland.) For the …