×
Monday, July 7, 2025

What we can and can’t do in the modern workplace - The HR Director Magazine

Recent Employment Tribunal cases include an NHS nurse being awarded 41,000 in compensation after being left out of the tea round, finding that offering a chair to an older colleague could constitute age discrimination, and claims being brought around greetings cards – both receiving an unwanted birthday card and not being given a leaving card.

Kate Palmer, Employment Services Director at Peninsula, says “The modern workplace is a minefield for employers, as these tribunal rulings clearly show. And with a myriad of changes on their way when the Employment Rights Bill passes into law, including the proposed creation of a new regulatory body that can bring claims to tribunal on workers’ behalf, it’s more important than ever that businesses get things right.

“It is proposed that the Fair Work Agency will have the power to sue employers on behalf of workers who have a claim but do not want to bring one. By giving the Fair Work Agency these powers alongside the ability to provide legal support to an employee raising the claim themselves, it increases the risks and chances of one being made.

“Although this specific proposal doesn’t alter any of the laws a business must comply with, they will want to be extra confident they have done everything they can to prevent a claim being made. Not only is it an extra party to satisfy, but a claim brought by the Fair Work Agency will put the business firmly on the governments radar, likely attracting more attention than a claim brought by...



Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPV0RFN0gzTFlwQkRpbjY5dzFq...