Secret recording- admissible evidence?
Was an employee allowed to use a secret recording made, while she was not present, of the deliberations of her employer at a disciplinary hearing? Yes it was, according to Punjab National Bank v Gosain. Background Ms Gosain secretly recorded… Read on
Tribunal awards to increase
The following compensation limits will increase on 6 April 2014: Maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal: £76,574 (was £74,200), or 1 year’s gross salary, whichever is less Maximum limit on a week’s pay: £464 (was £450) Maximum basic award: £5,676… Read on
TUPE: another reason to avoid harmonisation of terms
Could two employees whose benefits were reduced after a business transfer force the employer to give them their old terms back? Yes, says the Court of Appeal in Hazel v. The Manchester College. Background The College cut the wages of… Read on
Financial penalties for employers who get it wrong
The Government has announced that it intends to implement a provision in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act allowing tribunals to impose a financial penalty on employers who breach employment rights. At present, most tribunal awards are based on the… Read on
Major changes to Employment Tribunals
Employment Tribunals have offered a free service to Claimants since they were introduced in the 1970s. However that all changed on the 29th July 2013 when fees were introduced for anyone starting a claim in the tribunal. A fee is… Read on
Unfair dismissal claims reduced cap on compensation
New reduced cap on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal to the lower of £72,400 or 52 weeks pay is imminent. 29th July 2013 is the date we believe important changes in the rules of compensation for unfair dismissal will… Read on
Carrying out redundancies: new consultation rules and ACAS guide
Most employers find the process of carrying out redundancies difficult and stressful. Many managers will describe it as the worst part of the job. It is important that companies understand how to implement a proper redundancy process. Getting it wrong… Read on
Employment law reform: 3 key updates
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has announced further proposals to reform the employment tribunal system with the aim of helping businesses. The Government has already increased to two years the period for which employees must work before gaining unfair dismissal… Read on
Dismissal conversations to be kept from court
Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has just confirmed that legislation will be introduced to enable employers to offer termination packages to employees without fear that this will be used against them in a tribunal claim. This would extend the current without… Read on
The Beecroft Report
On 21st May 2012, the controversial Beecroft Report was published by the UK Government. The report had been commissioned to explore whether any areas of employment law could be simplified in an effort to kick-start the economy and create jobs.… Read on