SCHOOL LEAVERS – UNEMPLOYABLE WASTERS OR INSPIRED, ENTHUSIASTIC FUTURE MANAGERS? APPRENTICESHIPS – BUSINESS BUILDING OR CASH BLACK HOLE? School leavers are often considered by employers to be a waste of time and energy – banded as incompetent, work shy liabilities.  Why then do some... read more

Those waiting for a decision from the ECJ as to whether the UK’s compulsorily retirement provision is compatible with European Law will be disappointed to have to wait longer for a final ruling. The ECJ has passed the challenge, raised by the National Council of Ageing (‘Heyday’), back to the... read more

Employers and HR professionals alike have been outraged by the recent “Take a Benylin Day” advertising campaign.   The campaign has been criticised for encouraging employees to take sickness absence days and in particular its advice on how to call in sick and what to do to ease boredom... read more

Factory workers in France who were unhappy with their severance package took their boss hostage with a view to negotiating better terms. Serge Foucher, the head of Sony in France, was shut in a meeting room and the plant was barricaded with tree trunks for a day whilst further talks were... read more

As the recession deepens, many employers are looking to put in place cost cutting measures and effect redundancies in an attempt to avoid business failure, but at what cost to employee morale, performance levels and ultimately, business performance? The media continues to be saturated with... read more

It has been reported that a gay video games designer is bringing a claim against his employer, Microsoft, for £45,000.00 damages after allegedly suffering homophobic abuse at work. Jamie Durrant (38), who designed games for Xbox 360, claims that he was subjected to homophobic comments and... read more

It is said that about one in ten companies in the UK is freezing pay or implementing shorter working weeks in attempts to control costs. One such company is Jaguar Land Rover who has implemented a pay freeze until 2010 and a four day week in return for the promise of no compulsory job losses... read more

The appearance of a disabled TV presenter, Cerrie Burnell on BBC children’s channel CBeebies has caused a debate amongst parents who claim that her appearance has frightened their children. In a time beset with political correctness and equal opportunities the BBC temporarily found itself in... read more

The High Court has held that in certain situations, employees have the right to legal representation during internal disciplinary hearings.  Note that this decision applies only to public sector employers against whom European Convention of Human rights can be directly enforced. In the... read more

A recent decision of the European Court of Justice in the case of HMRC v Stringer that workers on long-term sick leave continue to accrue statutory holiday and should be allowed to take that holiday or carry it over to the next year, is not good news for employers in the current climate.... read more