If you are returning to work after maternity leave you have certain rights and protection against unfair dismissal, detriment or discrimination connected to your pregnancy, childbirth or statutory maternity leave. In this blog I consider what rights you have on returning to work and possible issues on returning, including the right to request flexible working.
There has been further consideration of apprenticeships in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. If you are an apprentice, or want to be an apprentice, it has been reassuring to hear that the government has committed to increase funding for businesses taking on apprentices and expand ‘portable’ apprenticeships so that they can be taken between employers. Nevertheless, apprentices can still face dismissal especially in the current climate. Like other employees you have certain rights, such as the right to claim unfair dismissal (subject to being employed for at least 2 years) and protection against discrimination. We set out some help and guidance about apprentice rights below.
The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order 2021 was laid before Parliament on 1 March 2021 and is due to come into force on 31 May 2021. If approved, it will extend the rights currently conferred under section 44(1)(d) and (e) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 not to be subjected to a detriment in certain health and safety cases to workers.
You might be suspended if you are being investigated for misconduct or for medical or health and safety reasons. You will usually be told not to attend your place of work or communicate with your colleagues. Read on for more information about what it means to be suspended and your rights during suspension.
I was recently instructed by a client who felt her redundancy was unfair. Read on for more information about my client’s story and how I helped.
I was delighted to receive a five-star review recently from a client I gave advice to about a settlement agreement. Read on for my information about my client’s story and how I helped.
You must usually give notice to lawfully terminate your contract of employment. There are exceptions, for example where the contract is for a fixed term and simply expires on a certain date or event, or where you intend to claim ‘constructive dismissal’. How you resign and what you say is also important.
A whistleblower is a worker who brings wrongdoing in the workplace to the attention of their employer or a relevant organisation. Whistleblowing is known more formally as making a protected disclosure.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees, job applicants and other workers such as agency workers and contractors. Age discrimination occurs if you are treated unequally because of your age or because you belong to a particular age group. Age discrimination is unlawful, unless it can be justified.