News and Knowledge

Tata steelworkers vote for industrial action over plans to close blast furnaces

Around 1,500 Tata steelworkers based in Port Talbot and Newport Llanwern have voted decisively for industrial action over the company’s plan to close its blast furnaces and shed 2,800 jobs.   The ballot for strike action by members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, closed today with workers voting in favour of industrial action over…

Four major changes to employment law this month

Major changes have been made to employment law this week in a bid to give workers more control over their working hours, more protection when they’re pregnant and more flexibility for workers caring for a dependent.   The government has said the new changes coincide with their ‘Back to Work Plan’ to help people find,…

Autism Awareness Month: What it is & why we should celebrate

Autism Awareness Month is here to raise awareness and promote the acceptance of people with autism. In society today, there are many misconceptions about autism, and this month is dedicated to debunking myths and promoting inclusion.   It is thought that autism affects around 700,000 children and adults in the UK. But many societal barriers…

Driver sues Uber Eats as ‘racially discriminatory’ app prevented him from work

A black Uber Eats driver has received a payout after “racially discriminatory” artificial intelligence prevented him from being able to do his job.   Pa Edrissa Manjang began working for Uber Eats in 2019, but issues arose a few years later when Uber Eats introduced new facial recognition checks on workers using AI.    …

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is here to celebrate the talents of neurodiverse people, challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive world to empower all.   According to statistics, it is estimated that around 15 to 20 per cent of the world’s population has some type of neurodivergence. These conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism…

Bus driver with Crohn’s disease awarded £28k after toilet row

A bus driver with Crohn’s disease has been awarded more than £28,000 in compensation after his employer failed to give him sufficient toilet breaks.   An employment tribunal found that Midland Red (South), which trades as Stagecoach in the West Midlands, failed to make reasonable adjustments for the driver who was suffering from the medical…

Almost 10% of NHS staff experience discrimination from managers, survey says

Concerns have emerged after the 2023 NHS staff survey revealed that members of staff have suffered from discrimination, health issues and feeling unwell as a result of stress at work.   The findings of the annual survey were published last week after 1.4 million NHS staff members were invited to participate. This year, 707,460 people…

New Paternity Leave rules for dads to come into effect

New paternity leave rules will come into force from next month to give new dads more flexibility and a slight pay rise, the government has announced.   The changes will mean that new fathers can take their statutory two-week leave in separate one-week chunks, instead of having to take it as two consecutive weeks, as…

Pregnant chef wins £18k payout after boss made her lift heavy pans

A female chef has won an £18,000 payout after suffering from pregnancy discrimination at work.   Emma Delpinto worked at award-winning Farmhouse Kitchen Huntleys, when she fell pregnant last year, after suffering from a miscarriage the year before. But although she had informed her male boss, Martin Yates she was pregnant, he made her carry…

Employment Tribunal compensation to increase from April

Employees may be entitled to more compensation at employment tribunals from April as the government has announced an increase in limits.   Employment tribunals take place when a dispute has taken place between an employee and an employer, usually regarding redundancies, unfair dismissals and equal pay. Employment Tribunals are the judicial body with responsibility for…