The Employment Law & HR Podcast

What is Sexual Harassment? & How does the law protect people in the UK?

Following recent news about the long running and high profile allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein in the US there has been a lot of coverage in the media about sexual harassment and harassment in the workplace. With this coverage has been the social media campaign #metoo where women who have been subject to some form of harassment are using the hashtag in their social media to highlight the issue. I thought that it would be a good time to cover what the law in the UK says about sexual harassment and to provide an update for employers to help understand responsibilities and how to  ensure the culture in your workplace does not allow this kind of behaviour to take place.

In this episode I will cover:

  • The law in the UK regarding sexual harassment;
  • The legal test for establishing sexual harassment;
  • Some case examples of what constitutes sexual harassment at work;
  • Some tips and hints to prevent issues arising;
  • How to ensure that this culture does not develop in your organisation.

Action Points

  1. Act quickly if faced with allegations or suspicions of such behaviour;
  2. Be clear on the type of behaviour that is acceptable in your organisation;
  3. Have a clear policy on acceptable behaviour and methods or reporting;
  4. Deal with any allegations or issues seriously.

Useful Links

BBC 5 Live survey Results & Report: Here

Equality Act 2010

Don't forget you can contact us by email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or miranda@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001 or 023 8098 2006

Direct download: Episode_88_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

Examples of cases involving suspension at work

Following the last two episodes in which I covered suspending employees, I have compiled some cases involving suspension at work to give you some examples of the facts and circumstances.

In this episode I will cover:

You can review Employment Tribunal Judgement that have been published here: https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions

Action Points

  1. Seek advice about the particular circumstances, every case is different;
  2. Review the suspension checklist before suspending, in the same way as you would for any other conduct issue;
  3. Take care not to make snap decisions or judgments;
  4. Listen to the two earlier episodes on suspension here 85 and 86.

Get in touch to get your copy of the free suspension checklist, email suspension@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

Don't forget you can contact us by email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or miranda@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001 or 023 8098 2006

 

Would you like advice about your situation?

Appointments are available on the telephone or via Skype throughout the UK.

Alternatively we offer face to face appointments on the Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham, Portsmouth, Winchester and surrounding areas in Hampshire.

Direct download: Episode_87.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

What are an employers options when an employee is charged with a criminal offence? Should they suspend indefinitely? 

Following the last episode in which I covered suspending employees I have been contacted by a listener who raised some great questions about suspending employees when there are criminal allegations either related to work or behaviour outside of work to take into consideration.

This is certainly an issue that arises fairly frequently and often employers do not know what to do and feel that they have no choice but to suspend the employee on full pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

In this episode I will cover:

  • The difference in approach depending on the facts of the case;
  • Why it may not be appropriate to suspend and/or dismiss an employee for criminial conduct outside of work;
  • The importance of following a fair and reasonable internal disciplinary procedure;
  • What to do if an employee refuses to answer questions or is advised not to attend an investigation meeting;
  • Circumstances in which you do not have to wait for the employee to attend a disciplinary meeting;
  • General principles for suspension and disciplinary decision making.

Action Points

  1. Seek advice about the particular circumstances, every case is different;
  2. Review the suspension checklist before suspending, in the same way as you would for any other conduct issue;
  3. Take care not to make snap decisions or judgments;
  4. Listen to the unfair dismissal mini series which you can find here: 36 and 37

Get in touch to get your copy of the free suspension checklist, email suspension@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk

Don't forget you can contact us by email alison@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or miranda@realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk or by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001 or 023 8098 2006

Direct download: Episode_86.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

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