Author Archives: Darren Newman
Ending the “sick-note culture”
The Prime Minister gave a speech on Friday proposing to tackle our “sick note culture”. Probably the most significant proposals made were to do with the wider issue of benefits for those were economically inactive because of long-term ill-health. Those … Continue reading
Will Labour Ban Zero-Hours Contracts?
(UPDATED) I’m spending an increasing amount of my time looking towards the next Labour Government and what it will mean for employment law. If the polls are right, it is going to be an exciting time to be an employment … Continue reading
Religious discrimination and “The Color Purple”
The EAT has just handed down a decision in the case of Omooba v (1) Michael Garrett Associates Ltd (2) Leicester Theatre Trust and I am worried about its implications. It seems to suggest that an employer can legitimately cave … Continue reading
Is the Menopause a disability?
The front page of the Times on Thursday carried the headline: Respect the menopause or be sued for disability discrimination, firms told Employers could be sued for disability discrimination if they fail to make “reasonable adjustments” for menopausal women such … Continue reading
Indirect discrimination – squandering our Brexit freedoms?
The Sunday Telegraph reports concern among Tory MPs that Rishi Sunak is “squandering Brexit Freedoms by approving more EU rules”. The headline refers to new Regulations amending the Equality Act 2010. With its usual calm understatement when dealing with discrimination … Continue reading
Labour’s plans for discrimination law
(Please note: I wrote this on a Sunday night just after seeing the Guardian’s report. I reserve the right to amend it in the clear light of day when I’ve had a chance to think a bit more and see … Continue reading
Simplifying the rules on annual leave?
On 8 November the Government published The Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 (catchy title). Among other minor measures these make amendments to the right to annual leave and holiday pay in the Working Time Regulations 1998. … Continue reading
Sacked for your beliefs? A balancing act for Tribunals.
One of the issues I talk about a lot with clients is the extent to which employees with beliefs that might conflict with the values of the employer need to be accommodated – and how employers should deal with potential … Continue reading
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill
This is bad lawmaking. The Government is granting itself sweeping powers while claiming that it only intends to use them for a limited purpose. This allows it to sidestep any debate about how the tension between the right to strike and impact that strikes have on public services should be navigated. Continue reading
A Range of Reasonable Responses 