Insurer discriminated against menopausal worker, tribunal rules

Lynskey v Direct Line Insurance Services Ltd, an insurance company has been ordered to pay one of its former workers £64,645 after the Employment Tribunal found it failed to make reasonable adjustments for an employee with menopausal symptoms, who later resigned. Direct Line Insurance Services Ltd did not fully consider the impact of menopause on… >>

A mistake may justify extension of time even if claim originally rejected for that mistake (The Sports PR Company v Cardona)

A claimant’s mistake, if reasonably made, can justify an extension of a time limit on the basis of it being not reasonably practicable to have presented the claim in time. That is the case even if the claim was initially rejected by an employment tribunal under ET Rule 12 for being presented out of time… >>

Employee unfairly dismissed for refusing to put work app on her personal phone

In Alsnih v Al Quds Al-Arabi Publishing & Advertising, ET case number 2203652/2020, an employment tribunal has ruled that a journalist was unfairly dismissed for refusing to install an ‘intrusive’ work-related app on her personal phone, which would have left her unable to separate her work and home life. The employer should have considered alternatives… >>

Labour party considering a right to switch off for workers

The Labour party is considering a proposal to introduce a ‘right to disconnect’ (a so-called right to switch off) if it wins the next general election. It follows an increasing trend since 2017, especially across Europe, of introducing restrictions on employers contacting workers outside normal working hours or protecting employees who choose not to engage… >>

New Presidential Guidance published on the use of alternative dispute resolution in employment tribunals in England and Wales

The President of the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales), Judge Barry Clarke, has issued new Presidential Guidance on the way in which employment tribunals in England and Wales give effect to their duty under rule 3 of the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure 2013 in respect of alternative dispute resolution, including the roll-out on a… >>

When does an alleged belief in ethical veganism amount to a protected philosophical belief?

In Owen v Willow Tower Case No 200073/2022, an employment tribunal (ET) has recently considered whether an alleged belief in ethical veganism was sufficient to amount to a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010), and therefore attract protection from discrimination. The claimant worked as bank staff in a care home and raised… >>