News and Knowledge

Carer’s Week 2024: Legal rights for carers explained

Carer’s Week is here to highlight the challenges unpaid carers face every day and recognise the contribution they make to family, friends and society.   Statistics show there are more than 7 million carers in the UK today, who look after family or friends who have a mental or physical disability or illness, addiction, or…

NHS heart surgeon charged with 14 counts of sexual assault

A senior heart surgeon at an NHS hospital has been charged with 14 counts of sexual assault against six female members of staff over a five-year period.   Amal Bose, 54, formerly worked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as the head of cardiovascular surgery but was arrested in August after reports of sexual offences against employees.…

Journalists launch legal action against BBC’s ‘rigged’ recruitment process

Four female journalists have launched legal action against the BBC after claiming the job application process was ‘rigged’.   Maxine Croxall and three other senior journalists launched the action after accusing the broadcaster of a ‘sham recruitment exercise’ which amounted to sex and age discrimination, as well as concerns over equal pay. The presenters, all…

Whitefield School: Staff members filmed ‘abusing’ children at special school

Staff members at a special school in London were filmed abusing children in so-called ‘calming rooms’,  but have still not been barred from working with children, a BBC investigation has found.   The abhorrent abuse was discovered when 44 memory sticks containing CCTV footage of classrooms were found in a sealed box, when new leadership…

Workplace bullying at charity founded by doctors left staff feeling suicidal 

Workers at a charity founded by doctors have said the culture is so ‘toxic’ they considered taking their own life.   Twenty-six staff members and volunteers at Lincolnshire-based LIVES told the BBC there is a culture of bullying and belittling staff – despite the charity’s website highlighting how their purpose is to provide care and…

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…