PJH Law - Employment Law Blog

Climate Change - a philosophical belief!

Philip — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:22:11 +0000

The EAT has ruled that a belief in climate change can be a philosophical belief capable of engaging the Regulations dealing with discrimination in the workplace on grounds of religious belief or philosophical belief. The judgment made the news and was widely reported.

What was not so widely reported was that in the judgment Judge Burton made clear that a belief in a political philosophy, say Marxism, or Libertarianism, could also amount to a philosophical belief capable of protection. So anyone employing the modern day equivalent of Citizen Smith, or PJ O’Rourke - careful how you go.

There’s lovely for you …..

Practice Administration Team — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:21:10 +0000

I have just returned from a lovely holiday In North Wales and had to share this picture with you. The colours at this time of year were amazing as you can see and the people were so friendy and hospitable.

Childcare vouchers

Sarah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:36:38 +0000

Many employers offer a salary sacrifice scheme for childcare vouchers so that employees can offset their childcare costs out of gross salary. Figures show over 340,000 employees of over 35,000 companies make use of them.

Under Government plans the tax relief and thus the benefit of the vouchers could be scrapped by 2015. This may be a get out clause for employers to scrap the scheme given the recent decision that the vouchers are a benefit which must be continued during maternity leave presenting employers with a hidden cost of the scheme.

Postal strikes halted

Nicky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:48:26 +0000

Further to my blog yesterday it has now been reported that the postal strikes, due to take place today and Monday, have been called off as a last minute agreement between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union has now been reached. For more details click here.

MP claims tightening of expenses disadvantages women

Nicky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:58:48 +0000

Sir Christopher Kelly has called this week for a ban on MP’s claiming cleaning expenses. However, the Work and Pensions Minister, Helen Goodman, has responded by suggesting that this would disadvantage female ministers, as more females than males usually undertake family cleaning, and that women would be put off standing for Parliament.

What are your thoughts? Do you manage to hold down a full time and demanding job and also undertake your own cleaning? Or does your employer pay your expenses for you to employ a cleaner?

Cachaca….right back atcha!!!

Practice Administration Team — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:24:04 +0000

Strange … but true!

Further postal disruption?

Nicky — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:10:33 +0000

Further postal strikes are currently scheduled for tomorrow and Monday. It is anticipated that the impact of these strikes will cause more disruption for customers than previous strikes as it is an all-out strike.

However, union sources have said there may be a deal on the table and are hopeful that these strike actions will not therefore be necessary.

Fingers crossed eh?!

Philosophical belief

Olivia — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:03:34 +0000

You may have heard in the news on Monday that Mr Nicholson was triumphant in the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London who upheld the decision of the Tribunal that a belief in man-made climate change and the alleged resulting moral imperative is capable of being a philosophical belief and therefore protected by the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003.

For a lively debate on the significance of this decision and an interview with the man himself, the so-called ‘Green Martyr’ log onto playback of Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 chat show today.

Businesses encouraged to be environmentally friendly

Nicky — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:06 +0000

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have launched a campaign promoting energy saving measures within businesses and demonstrating the financial benefits on these businesses.

It is estimated that businesses could recoup more than £6.4 billion a year by taking simple steps such as recycling, turning computers off etc.

Employment Agencies

Olivia — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:55:03 +0000

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) have issued an overview for employers of Government Regulations that apply to employment agencies. Useful for a quick reminder.