Newton HR

Disability Discrimination Act Update.

jenny — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:20:50 +0000

In a landmark discrimination case, the House of Lords awarded £125,000 compensation to a woman who had worked for her employer for over 32 years.
The employee developed vocal nodules that threatened her speech, she protested when her employer took away partitions near her desk causing her to speak more loudly. The company argued that the employee was not disabled as her condition no longer had an adverse effect on her life.
Proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Act began in October 2001 alleging discrimination on grounds of her employer’s failure to make reasonable adjustments.
In May 2002 following 33 years of service, the employee was made redundant as a result of the decision and consequently brought further proceedings against her employer alleging victimisation and unfair dismissal.
She took her case as far as the Court of Appeal in Belfast prior to ending up in the highest court in the country The House of Lords.
The House of Lords upheld the decision and has now ruled that people with physical or mental conditions that vary in severity over time should be termed as “disabled” meaning that those individuals with controlled, recurring conditions are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.
The ruling extends the protection to people with a range of health conditions and could stretch to diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

Effected by this ruling or need to discuss existing arrangements in your business please speak directly with an HR Specialist 01473 858288 or email support@newtonhr.com

Volcanic Ash causes Absence eruption!

jenny — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:24:26 +0000

The volcanic ash cloud has stranded many UK workers and the Federation of Small Business (FSB) reported a warning in the Daily Telegraph to organisations that dock the pay of workers who fail to turn up for work as a consequence, that they could face future employment tribunals.
The FSB suggest the most vulnerable are those organisations that don’t have robust absence management policies that clearly state they are entitled to deduct wages in such circumstances.
The warning comes following a decision made by one local authority to deduct the wages of teachers if they fail to turn up at the school after the Easter Break due to flight cancellations caused by the volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere grounding planes.
This situation raises many questions and ultimately costs are suffered by one side or the other. Where guidance is not made clear in policy the situation will lead to lengthy discussions, strain is placed on relationships, not to mention the potential employment tribunal claim should terms prove ambiguous.
It is therefore crucial that employers have contingency plans in place to manage absence in the workplace and many clients are taking the time to revisit their terms –it is not enough to be of the view that payment of wages is afforded to work actually completed.
To discuss further please contact 01473 858288 to speak to an HR Specialist or email support@newtonhr.com

New website COMING SOON

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:32:12 +0000

Newtonhr will be launching a new look website in the very near future - WATCH THIS SPACE!

Welcome

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 08:22:15 +0000

We have updated our website to use the WordPress Content Management System. Please feel free to make any suggestions or comments about the any aspect of this site to support@newtonhr.com.