News and insight
First Computer Misuse Act prosecution results in six-month prison sentence
A motor industry employee has been sentenced to six months in prison in the first prosecution to be brought by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under legislation that carries a potential prison sentence.
Corporate manslaughter and driving at work: 10 years on
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (CMCHA) received royal assent in July 2007 and came into force on 6 April the following year.
Alex Davies
When suspension goes wrong
Deciding to suspend an employee should be carefully considered as the implications further down the line can be significant if you get it wrong. Suspending staff has been in the news recently following a decision by the High Court to overturn the suspension of Professor Jahangiri by her employer, St George’s Hospital.
Pam Loch
Is ‘positive action’ always a positive thing?
2018 has seen many high-profile businesses in the UK making very public statements on their efforts to encourage greater diversity in their recruitment and selection process, particularly for senior and board level roles.
Kelly Mansfield
Skirting around the issue…of dress codes
Sat here in my cut-off trousers, I’ve come across yet another ‘skirt’ focussed news article – this time relating to the Government ‘debate’ over the rather disgusting media practice of ‘up-skirting’.
Pam Loch
The changing face of the workforce
The gig economy has become a popular topic in the media over the last 18 months, from the Taylor Review into Modern Working practices, to high profile Employment Tribunal cases handing down crucial verdicts.
Call for change to Flexible Working Regulations
The Work and Pensions Committee has recommended amending the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 in order to ensure a day one right to request flexible working for all employees. The recommendation is part of the Committee’s report into work opportunities for carers.
Mental health: ensuring a healthy return to work
"For some employees, returning to work following a period of sick leave due to mental health challenges can be a significant milestone in their recovery. It can also be overwhelming and worrying and, even though they are feeling better, they may still be experiencing mental health challenges. As a result, it’s really important – and a legal duty – for both employer and employee to effectively manage this return."
Bullying at work: HR are increasingly the victims
In 2014/15, the ACAS helpline took about 20,000 calls regarding bullying in the workplace, and there is further evidence that this problem is worsening at work. Staff working in HR and personnel are often on the front line dealing with staff being bullied or harassed, but what about these professionals themselves? What happens when they are being bullied? Are they more at risk of being harassed due to their job role in HR? HR Advise Me investigated bullying and harassment of HR professionals to find out more.
Ban on beards at work: a safety issue or ‘penny-pinching stupidity’?
Building firm Mears has introduced a ban on staff wearing beards due to, it says, health and safety risks. In a letter to all staff, Mears stated that due to working in a potentially dusty environment, from now on all operatives must come to work clean shaven to be able to wear appropriate dust masks effectively. However, it says, “A ‘goatee’ may be acceptable so long as it does not hinder the correct fitting of said dusk masks.”