Can you be sacked for being off sick?
An employer is entitled to dismiss an employee for sickness in certain circumstances, provided they first follow an appropriate procedure. If an employer is too quick to dismiss someone who is off work due to illness, then the individual might… Read on
Ill health dismissal: does the ACAS Code apply?
The ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures does not apply where someone is dismissed from work purely due to ill health. This means employers can dismiss someone for sickness without following the process recommended in the ACAS… Read on
Can I sue my employer for work-related stress?
Sometimes, it seems like there is a stress epidemic going on as the pressures of modern life cause more and more people, in all walks of life and of all ages, to report feelings of stress. The impact of this… Read on
Long-term disability benefits: employer not entitled to dismiss
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that an employer was not entitled to dismiss an employee who was on long-term sick leave and receiving benefits under a long-term disability scheme. It implied a term into the employee’s contract of… Read on
What is the correct legal test for discrimination arising from disability?
Equality legislation protects employees and others against discrimination arising from a disability. This requires employment tribunals to apply a wide lens to all the relevant facts in order to determine whether an individual has suffered unlawful discrimination in consequence of… Read on
Long-term sickness absence: dismissal was unfair and discrimination for failure to consider part-time working
In Ali v Torrosian and others (t/a Bedford Hill Family Practice) the Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned a tribunal’s decision that there was no discrimination arising for disability. The case shows that while the tests for unfair dismissal and discrimination are… Read on
World Cup 2018: don’t let football fever cause a headache in the workplace
The 2018 football World Cup takes place in Russia between 14 June and 15 July. Time is running out for employers to tell their employees where the goal posts are as regards the impact of this sporting tournament on the… Read on
How far does an employer have to go to find out if an employee is disabled?
The Court of Appeal recently had to decide whether an employer had taken reasonable steps to find out if an employee was disabled. Deciding whether or not someone is disabled is a crucial step for employers in order to comply… Read on
Are trigger points for sickness absence dismissals lawful?
The latest ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) suggests that intermittent sickness absence thresholds, which allow employers to dismiss staff once a trigger point has been breached, are potentially discriminatory against disabled employees. Background Many employers operate sickness… Read on
Sickness whilst on holiday – the current position
One of the most confusing areas of employment law in recent years has concerned the impact of sickness absence on employees’ entitlement to statutory holiday and holiday pay. These issues have been examined at judicial levels from Employment Tribunals to… Read on