Category Archives: Uncategorized

Labour’s plans for discrimination law

Posted on February 4, 2024 by Darren Newman

(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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sacked for your beliefs? A balancing act for Tribunals.

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Darren Newman

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 →

Posted in philosophical belief, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Qualifying for Unfair Dismissal

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Darren Newman

The right not to be unfairly dismissed is absolutely central to UK employment law – and the question of who qualifies for that right is something of a political football. Put simply, how long should an employee have to work … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Unfair Dismissal | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The problem with P&O – when ignoring employment law is ‘worth it’

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Darren Newman

I think most employment lawyers would have had the same reaction as me when they saw the news about P&O sacking 800 ferry workers without notice or consultation. First you see it as an outrageous breach of even the basic … Continue reading →

Posted in Compensation and Remedies, Redundancy Consultation, trade unions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

End of the Road for Uber?

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Darren Newman

One of the things I like about the Supreme Court is its lack of grandeur. People often associate the English legal system with all manner of flummery – wigs, gowns, archaic language, soaring rhetoric  and elaborate ceremony. You get none … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Is the Government about to rip up workers’ rights?

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Darren Newman

Last night the Financial Times reported that the Government is planning a post-Brexit overhaul of the labour market that would involve ‘ripping up’ workers’ rights ‘enshrined in EU law’. Specifically: The main areas of focus are on ending the 48-hour … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Early Retirement and the Exit Pay Cap

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Darren Newman

Well this might seem a bit niche. But if you’re in the public sector – especially local government – there is one major issue that you will be concerned with. That is the introduction of a £95,000 cap on public … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Should we ban ‘firing and re-hiring’?

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Darren Newman

Keir Starmer addresses the TUC today and – such is the nature of these events – we already know what he is ‘expected to say’. Starmer will condemn employers (recent examples include British Gas and British Airways) that have fired … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

New Starters and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Darren Newman

UPDATE: Wednesday 15 April 2020 In a major change to the Job Retention Scheme the Treasury has announced that the cut off date of 28 February has been moved to 19 March. The guidance now says this: Employees you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sleepover shifts and the minimum wage

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Darren Newman

Next week the Supreme Court will hear argument in two cases involving care workers. At issue is whether a care worker who ‘sleeps over’ in the care home should be regarded as working for that whole shift so that each … Continue reading →

Posted in national minimum wage, Uncategorized, Wages | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments