Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to be published September 2016 has found that employees with poor mental health earn up to 42% less than their colleagues. Put another way, for every one pound earned by a male worker without a mental health condition, a colleague who suffers phobias or panic attacks earns 58 pence. The findings have prompted claims of discrimination in the workplace against people with mental health problems, with the commission calling them a “hidden disgrace” and the Men’s Health…
A recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) case has examined the issue of religious clothing in the workplace, but those looking for a definitive ruling in this sensitive area may be disappointed. The ECJ’s decision in Samira Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions, delivered in June 2016, goes some way to clarifying the position. Ultimately, however, the ruling suggests employers should consider whether their own policies discriminate. Religious clothing – background to the case Ms. Achbita worked for Belgian-based G4S Secure Solutions who operated a policy…
A UK car manufacturer has been fined £120,000 for failing to protect workers from the risks of asbestos at one of its sites. The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who also secured a conviction against a Kent school and building contractor for the same offence in January 2016. It’s no surprise the HSE takes cases concerning asbestos very seriously: the toxic substance accounts for the deaths of approximately 5,000 workers every year, more than the total number of deaths on…
Reported hate crime has risen 42% since our vote for BREXIT, presenting employers with perhaps their first tangible HR challenge since the historic decision to leave. The vote split the UK’s population in half, with 52 per cent of voters backing BREXIT and 48 per cent voting to remain. And in a frightening reaction to the vote, anti-Polish cards have been handed out in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and a sharp rise in the number of people being told to ‘go back home’ – with chants such…
With a disruptive summer of sport ahead, managing employee absence as sports fans seek ways to watch their teams could be a real headache for business. Today is a big day for sport. We've got Andy Murray in the semi finals at Wimbledon (bravo). There's Lewis Hamilton revving up in qualifying for the British Grand Prix (zoom). And Yellow Jersey favourite Chris Froome is riding out with the other Brits in Team Sky on the seventh stage of the Tour de France (clip). Oh, and…
A 'reckless' restaurant owner has been jailed for six years for the manslaughter of a customer who suffered a fatal anaphylactic shock following an allergic reaction to a takeaway curry. The 52 year old businessman was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence when a customer with a severe peanut allergy died after eating a takeaway ordered from the restaurant – despite the diner insisting his meal must be nut-free. And in a judgement that should serve as a wake up call for other food…
YouTube is many things. Home of all cat videos. Handy DIY resource. And 21st century TV station (or the 21st century equivalent of Beadle's About at least). But one thing it is not renowned for is a repository of health and safety best practice. Search 'forklift' and the top three hits are: In many 'blue collar' industries – for example transport & storage, construction, or agriculture – workplace transport is a vital element, and specifically forklift trucks. So how do you keep your employees safe…
Sporting tournaments engage the nation in a rare sense of communal endeavour, with football – the country's most-supported sport - generating the most interest. Bunting will be hung, songs will be sung. And while this is a (mostly) regular occurrence for England, this summer will see three of the four home nations competing, meaning 92% of Brits (sorry Scotland) will have skin in the game. This is the first time since 1986 that three of the home nations will be appearing together at a major…
“I’m not a woman. I’m not a man. I’m something that you’ll never understand” is a line from a Prince song back in 1984. Employers need to know what support their gender fluid employees need, and are entitled to, and with the recent death of Prince, there has been much talk about how he led the way in being gender fluid. So what is Gender Fluidity? Gender fluid people do not feel limited by the stereotypical expectations of men and women. They may feel genderless…
Everyone knows that a good reputation can take a lifetime to build, and a second to destroy. A good reputation will help to attract new business, and will also mean that the best people in the industry will want to work for your company. However, a case of discrimination in the workplace could not only cost you thousands of pounds in claims, but could also tarnish the reputation that your company has worked so hard to build up. What should employers be aware of? Not…
