Legal topics
The government has recently announced (19th February 2024) a new policy that will prohibit the use of mobile phones by students during lessons and breaks. This decision aims to create a more focused learning environment and promote face-to-face interactions among students. By implementing this ban, the government hopes to enhance academic performance and reduce distractions … Read more
Equality Act 2010 Guidance The 9 protected characteristics (valla.uk) – including videos Legal Case Search Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice
Employers have to be extra careful when dismissing employees. Even if employees have committed acts of gross misconduct, dismissing them may be unreasonable. An Employment Tribunal (ET) made this remark in a case where a store supervisor was sacked for smoking on company premises. The woman worked for a national retail chain which took a … Read more
Harpur Trust v Brazel Earlier this year, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) released a guide that outlined the requirements for school and academy trusts to deal with complaints. The guide contained a case study based on the recent case of Harpur Trust v Brazel, which provides an interesting background to the issue and … Read more
As a teacher, you have a number of rights and responsibilities. You have the right to instruct and punish, to give consequences or withhold privileges. This is known as coercive authority. It implies that you have a right to impose consequences on those who cross the line. Teaching in the UK Teaching in the UK … Read more
The Liverpool Employment Tribunal recently heard the case of Mrs M West v Funky Owl Pub (Holdings) Limited. The case concerns an advertisement for young staff aged between 18 and 25 years, and alleged age discrimination. In this case, age discrimination was found to be both direct and indirect. Advertisement for staff between the ages … Read more
A leading authority on regulation has warned that solicitors face being prevented from correcting their own mistakes, following a landmark ruling by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). Gregory Treverton-Jones QC says law firms will be forced to send clients to another firm rather than put things right at their own expense when they identify an … Read more
National Minimum Wage – Current rates These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. The rates change every April. Year 25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice April 2019 (current rate) £8.21 £7.70 £6.15 £4.35 £3.90 April 2020 £8.72 £8.20 £6.45 £4.55 £4.15 Coronavirus and … Read more
The outbreak of coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is having a significant impact on the ability of businesses to perform their contracts. As of 03 March 2020 there have been 2809 cases reported and 56 deaths. It is very likely to get much worse in the UK before it gets better. Businesses have to be … Read more
A zero hour contract is just as it sounds, a contract with zero hours or to put it another way, a contract with no guaranteed hours of work. In other words workers are not guaranteed any hours of work whatsoever from an employer/agency. Zero hour contracts are widely used in many sectors including the public … Read more