Employment Lawyer In Your Pocket

In Episode 5, Simon and Jack discuss the case of https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F62f11331d3bf7f75b50d4fd5%2FMr_H_Drummond_v_Commissioners_for_Her_Majesty_s_Revenue_and_Customs_-_4109218.2021_-_Final.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Clesley.rorrison%40blackadders.co.uk%7C7ff164ffcbfb4c2ae87908da85fe3fe1%7C5f2920b6e5664d30acc8e2f416135f09%7C0%7C0%7C637969624294624764%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xZ%2FlQny%2FzvRPEsa7eNQ24Qpu9z4k4S5ZzGCA9kr0yIY%3D&reserved=0 (Drummond v HMRC) where the employer required to resist a claim for discrimination arising from disability (a section 15 claim). Did HMRC have a legitimate aim in place? Was this aim exercised proportionately? Who wants to hear about the time Simon fainted when giving blood? And why have you not yet left a review?

It’s Episode 4, and Simon and Jack are joined by Ethan to discuss the case of https://bit.ly/3w4BzY7 (Bradbury v Sky In-home Services Ltd), where the focus is on race discrimination. Was a comment made to Ms Bradbury by a fellow Sky Inclusion Advocate discriminatory?” Did the Judgment leave her on cloud 9? Have a listen to find out!

Brace yourselves, listeners. Simon and Jack discuss the case of https://bit.ly/3QdJtqg (Finn v The British Bung Manufacturing Company Limited) where a colleague is referred to as a “stupid, old, bald ****” Was it sex-related harassment? Or was it sexual harassment? And can you guess which of these two require to be bleeped out, when they mistakenly use that word?...

In Episode 2 of Season 8, two become three as Simon, Jack and Ethan discuss the case of https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F60a375d3d3bf7f2888d19089%2FMrs_A_Thompson__vs__Scancrown_Ltd_trading_as_Manors.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Clesley.rorrison%40blackadders.co.uk%7C0cbf99f855ad4d62234308da7556a3ae%7C5f2920b6e5664d30acc8e2f416135f09%7C0%7C0%7C637951312247908260%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=o6%2FT8%2F0%2FFZUJmRPxtwkOpEwrxPNBWu1Ndi66UJX80gc%3D&reserved=0 (Thompson v Scancrown Limited). Can an employer refuse a flexible working request from a pregnant employee in the name of business needs? Does such a refusal discriminate against female employees? Hear all about Mr Sellar’s expensive maternity leave slip-up here…”

In the first episode of season 8, Simon and Jack discuss the case of https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cfe3e9c40f0b609601d0fce/Mr_S_Knox_v_Chief_Constable_of_Merseyside_Police_-_2404042_2018_-_Reserved_Judgment.pdf (Knox v Chief Constable of Merseyside Police). Can an employee lodge a claim for harassment on the basis of his colleague whistling Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 at him? How about the fact that he stuck a photo of Dolly up, beside his work station? And have Simon and Jack’s singing voices suitably recovered from covid to allow them to warble in key? Listen now to find out…

Due to popular demand (one listener), Simon returns for the final episode of Season 7. He is joined by Jack and Blair and they discuss three Christmas party employment tribunal claims. One case involves a fight on the dancefloor (Westlake v ZSL London Zoo). The second involves a Christmas party promise (Judge v Crown Leisure Limited). And the third involves a Christmas party fling (Nixon v Ross Coates Solicitors)! With apologies in advance from the team for the puns in our takeaway tips.  We hope that you have a peaceful Christmas and we hope to return in 2022.

In the last episode of season 7, we reach the end of the “Long and Winding (Newbie) Road”. Employment lawyers Jack, Blair and Stephen discuss how “We Can Work It Out” when taking a new recruit through a probationary period and induction process.  Blair gives some valuable tips on how “To Hold the Hand” of new starts; Jack offers advice on sorting out who within the organisation should “Carry That Weight” of overseeing the process; and Stephen discusses how slow starters should be given the chance at “Getting Better” where they need some “Help”. We also offer our views on how to tell a new start to “get back to where they once belonged” when it subsequently comes to light they have told lies in their job application. While this is the final episode of our “Newbie Road” season, the team decide to do a bonus Christmas special episode to look out for next week before we say “Goodbye” for the year.

Employment Lawyers Stephen, Blair and Jack discuss the do’s and don’ts of pre-employment health questions.   In addition to lots of useful tips about how to avoid exposing your business to a discrimination risk, we also learn which member of the team is a demon on the dancefloor.  Blair shines in the mini quiz.  Stephen is getting into the spirit of festive party season and urges listeners to sign up to our https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackadders.co.uk%2Fnews-and-legal%2F&data=04%7C01%7Clesley.rorrison%40blackadders.co.uk%7C22f8abe1015f40c3d64a08d9ba31fd28%7C5f2920b6e5664d30acc8e2f416135f09%7C0%7C0%7C637745546154148742%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ZNxPT1dyCVLO0ppTUq4CsNDw%2F6%2BdCZJn6Y%2B2PWXBBzc%3D&reserved=0 (mailing list)

The Newbies well and truly take over this week as Stephen is joined by Paul Nash of Blackadders Corporate team with a focus on all things data protection. We look at why it is important for employers to be aware of their data protection obligations from the outset and throughout a recruitment process and offer our top tips on the main areas which can give rise to problems. We also find out about the first album Paul owned and Stephen partly reveals his one true claim to fame, as they process some of their own personal data!

In Episode 5 of Season 7, Simon returns and is joined by Jack and Blair to discuss confidentiality and restrictive covenants. They highlight top tips when drafting confidentiality clauses in employment contracts and how make sure that restrictive covenants are enforceable. We also find out which song one of Simon’s clients performed when giving evidence at a tribunal. ‘I gotta feeling’ that it’s going to be a good episode….

Season 7 is ‘The Newbies’ series of podcasts. The ELiYP team will be looking at the ins and outs of recruiting and integrating new employees into the business, together with identifying some legal pitfalls. In this episode: Employment Lawyers Stephen, Blair and Jack discuss the all important employment contract and job offer letter.   In addition to lots of useful tips about the documentation to be issued before a new employee starts work and whether a job offer can be withdrawn, we also learn which member of the team has already started Christmas shopping.  Jack reminisces about the circumstances of him joining Blackadders. Stephen remains tight lipped about his own contract negotiations. 

Season 7 is ‘The Newbies’ series of podcasts. The ELiYP team will be looking at the ins and outs of recruiting and integrating new employees into the business, together with identifying some legal pitfalls. In this episode: Stephen, Jack and Blair discuss the important checks that need to be carried out before formally employing any successful applicant. They talk about Right to Work Checks, previous cases and provide their favourite referees of all time. You won’t believe Stephen’s choice of referee (or Blair’s impression of this referee) …

In Season 7 Episode 2, Employment Lawyers Simon, Jack and (newbie) Blair discuss the selection process which may involve shortlisting applicants, interviews and reasonable adjustments for suitable candidates. They also give some examples of questions not to ask during an interview process and there’s a niche Trainspotting reference thrown in. But, will we ever hear about the circumstances surrounding Jack’s p-leather jacket?

Season 7 is 'The Newbies' series of podcasts. The ELiYP team will be looking at the ins and outs of recruiting and integrating new employees into the business, together with identifying some legal pitfalls. In this first episode, Employment Lawyers Simon Allison and Jack Boyle welcome a new colleague to engage in a discussion about the initial stages of a recruitment process, focusing on the application stage. They give some guidance on how to avoid discrimination and also some top tips around processing personal data. And in this episode, we discover who Jack doesn’t think could successfully apply for the job of Office Ninja (with apologies to Si’s Dad)…

Given the massive demand for more podcasts before Autumn, Simon and Jack have relented and released their final (bonus) podcast in The Law Behind The Headlines season. Season 6: 'The Law Behind the Headlines' series of podcasts. We take a look at the stories making the headlines and ask, “Is this case for real? How did the employer get away with that? And what is the law behind the headlines?” In the final (bonus) episode: Simon and Jack discuss the case O’Brien v Bloom Perfumery where Mr O’Brien’s employer offers him furlough or dismissal on notice. He picks furlough but his employer dismisses him with notice. Then, less than a fortnight later, dismisses him on the basis of gross misconduct. Was this dismissal fair? Is the team’s suggested headline better than the actual headline? Does the marketing team need to spend their remaining budget on a dialect coach for Si & JB? (the answer to each question is a resounding “no”) Employment Lawyer In Your Pocket podcast will return

In this season, we take a look at the stories making the headlines and ask, “Is this case for real? How did the employer get away with that? And what is the law behind the headlines?” In the finale of Season 6: Simon and Jack discuss the headline “Scots Costa Worker wins £14k payout after being sacked for grabbing jacket during fire alarm”. The Employment Lawyers brew over the facts of the case of Dudenko V Costa Limited, consider points in the tribunal hearing and provide their 3 Takeaway Tips for employers. But were their coffee puns the perfect blend?  We hope you enjoyed Season 6!

In this season, we take a look at the stories making the headlines and ask, “Is this case for real? How did the employer get away with that? And what is the law behind the headlines?” In this episode, Michelin-starred chef is dismissed for letting his two young boys play football in his restaurant during a private party for friends and family. Simon and Jack discuss the case of Williams v The Westbury Hotel Limited. Mr William’s sons kick a ball around the restaurant in a make-shift football pitch, wrestle with each other and drink tabasco sauce from the bottle. But was the dismissal fair? Listen to this podcast to find out. We also hear a few food-related puns, some Tony Soprano impressions and a (really old) knock knock joke. 

Season 6: 'The Law Behind the Headlines' series of podcasts. The ELiYP team tell a story, week by week, about a situation which the team has encountered. The team then discuss the law relating to that situation.  In this episode: Simon and Jack discuss the headline “Care worker sacked over Facebook post, saying there were no decent, honest Muslims”. Linda Henderson wins her unfair dismissal claim against Ashgill Care Home. However the Employment Judge reduces her compensation to zero partly based on her contributory conduct. We also get to hear Jack’s infamous crisp joke although there isn’t enough time to discuss his piercing….(fortunately)

Season 6: 'The Law Behind the Headlines' series of podcasts. The ELiYP team tell a story, week by week, about a situation which the team has encountered. The team then discuss the law relating to that situation.  In this episode: Lidl caretaker is dismissed for showing colleagues his swastika tattoo. He lodges race discrimination and unfair dismissal claims and wins compensation. Simon and Jack discuss the case of Horvarth v Lidl GB Limited along with the tests for harassment and unfair dismissal applied by the Employment Judge. They argue over the correct pronunciation of the word “Lidl” and listeners avoid hearing Jack’s terrible crisp joke. (Listeners will regrettably hear Simon sing/speak a rock song, which he believes is relevant to this case)

Season 6: 'The Law Behind the Headlines' series of podcasts. The ELiYP team tell a story, week by week, about a situation which the team has encountered. The team then discuss the law relating to that situation.  In this episode: Simon, Jack and Ruth discuss the headline, “Gym trainer with fear of sweat wins disability claim after refusing to pick up dirty towels”. Ms Burton lodges various claims of discrimination against Nuffield Health, including a claim for harassment. The team talk about the acts of harassment which Ms Burton suffered, the issue of disability and the tribunals findings. They also avoid telling Jack the identity of H (Line of Duty) and come up with their own (snappier) headlines.