News and Knowledge

The EAT Rules That Gender-critical Views Are A Protected Belief

Maya Forstater was at the forefront of controversy in 2018 due to tweets she posted stating that biological sex cannot be changed.   She was working as a Tax Adviser when her contract at Centre for Global Development (CGD), a charitable organisation based in London and Washington, was not renewed amid complaints and disputes over…

Brewdog Faces Allegations from Ex-Staff *UPDATE – 14/06/21*

The niche brewery known as Brewdog has faced a raft of allegations recently detailed in an open letter post on social media by former employees.   Approximately 60 staff either put their name or initials to the letter. A full copy of the letter can be found here. The allegations range from potential whistleblowing allegations…

Underpaid and Sacked By Text Message

The story of Megan Lloyd made the news recently. Megan was ‘self-employed’ as a beauty therapist in Sheffield city centre from August 2019 to February 2020.   Megan was a new mother and joined the business a few months after giving birth to her daughter, as a way to make some additional money on the…

Ian Abel Returns to Oakwood Solicitors Ltd as Head of Employment

It’s been one of those years where we’ve welcomed some new faces and said goodbye to a few old ones, but we’re delighted to wish a big welcome back to Ian Abel who has started with us again today in his previous position as Head of Employment Law.   Ian originally started with Oakwood in…

Uber: Supreme Court Ruling, February 2021

On 19 February 2021, the UK Supreme Court confirmed that a small group of drivers engaged by Uber had the status of workers as opposed to self-employed contractors in the landmark judgement of Uber BV v Aslam.   The Court held that these Uber drivers were to be classed as ‘workers’, meaning they are entitled…

COVID-19 – A Guide for Employees

Coronavirus raises significant challenges for employees and their families. The Employment Department at Oakwood Solicitors Ltd understands the uncertainty that employees are currently facing in light of this worldwide pandemic. Following an increased spike of calls and emails that we have been receiving regarding employee rights, we have decided to put together some of the…

COVID-19 – An Employers’ Guide For SME Businesses

Coronavirus raises significant challenges for business owners and their HR Managers.   The Employment Department at Oakwood Solicitors Ltd understands the uncertainty that employers are currently facing in light of this worldwide pandemic. Following an increased spike of calls and emails that we have been receiving from our SME clients, we have decided to put…

Racial Discrimination and Coronavirus

As the current situation intensifies, more reports of racial discrimination are drifting in throughout the wake of the Coronavirus. Historical parallels can be drawn from recent history, with the H1N1 (swine flu) and Ebola outbreaks, with Mexicans and Latin Americans or other people of Latin descent experiencing abuse in the case of Swine Flu, as…

DWP Disability Discrimination

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to conduct a review into its practices, as it is revealed that it has been on the losing end of more employment tribunals for Disability Discrimination than any employer in Britain. According to research by BBC’s Panorama series, the DWP received 134 claims of discrimination against…

Bullying In Lincolnshire Hospitals

According to a recent story in The Lincolnite, as many as one in three or more staff think about leaving the NHS due to bullying in Lincolnshire hospitals. Cases are as widespread as receiving harassment and abuse from patients, as well as bullying from fellow colleagues and even their managers. Based on staff feedback reports,…