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Why workplace ‘banter’ can cost...
27th April 2024
KEEP an eye on the culture and banter in your workplace… It could help you to avoid a tribunal and hefty fine. In a recent tribunal case, a female solicitor...
Vauxhall’s Luton plant director and UK...
26th April 2024
THE DIRECTOR of the Vauxhall van-making plant in Luton is to retire after 36 years with the company.
Mark Noble joined the Luton factory in 1988 as a production...
Professor Joe Nellis: 40th anniversary scholarship...
26th April 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Joe Nellis, world economy expert and Deputy Dean at Cranfield School of Management, who has had a MBA scholarship fund named in his honour to...
Business
Why workplace ‘banter’ can cost...
KEEP an eye on the culture and banter in your workplace… It could help you to avoid a tribunal and hefty fine. In a recent tribunal case, a female solicitor who had been paid less than a male colleague for five years and endured a “campaign of victimisation” when she complained, was awarded £159,000. And the case creates an important lesson for all business owners on the importance of a supportive and inclusive company culture, said HR specialist Rachel Collar. Solicitor Helena Biggs made a claim against her former employer for sex discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal. When she found out she had been paid less than her male colleague for the last five years, she raised the issue with her manager. The tribunal heard details of discrimination and victimisation spanning the solicitor’s tenure at the firm, ultimately resulting in her being dismissed from her role. The tribunal judge ruled that she had received unequal pay and suffered unlawful sex discrimination, harassment and victimisation and awarded her a total of £158,860.41. “What is described as banter or jokes can still be offensive,” the judge said. Current legislation states that employers have a duty to be proactive in preventing sexual harassment and must have policies in place to tackle it. “It is not acceptable to make sexist or other discriminatory comments in a workplace environment,” Rachel, founder and managing director of Haus of HR in Towcester, said. “As this recent case shows, that can be a very costly mistake. “It is important to ensure everyone in your business knows where that line is regarding what is and is not acceptable – and, if you’re not sure, err on the side of caution.” Make sure there is a robust grievance procedure in place and that all employees know where it is and how to use it, she added “We all want to work in an environment that feels safe and inclusive and making sure everyone knows what is and is not acceptable is a key part of this. Organising staff training and making sure everyone is familiar with key policies are important but so is making sure your policies are followed correctly in the event a grievance is raised. “Failing to treat your staff fairly can end up costing you money as well as valuable employees.”Vauxhall’s Luton plant director and UK manufacturing lead Mark Noble is to retire
26th April 2024
THE DIRECTOR of the Vauxhall van-making plant in Luton is to retire after 36 years with the company.
Mark Noble joined the Luton factory in 1988 as a production...
Professor Joe Nellis: 40th anniversary scholarship tribute is ‘a real honour’
26th April 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Joe Nellis, world economy expert and Deputy Dean at Cranfield School of Management, who has had a MBA scholarship fund named in his honour to...
IT managed service provider Bluecube acquires legal IT specialist
25th April 2024
MANAGED service provider Bluecube has become the leading provider to the law sector after acquiring legal IT specialist company CTS.
The deal follows CTS going into...
Dinosaurs, strawberries and memories of Mel amid the cherry blossom
23rd April 2024
You’ve already completed several marathons. Why Tokyo?
My dream is to complete all six World Marathon Majors. Tokyo was my fifth Major and it also fell on...
Full steam ahead… I like a challenge
23rd April 2024
ENGINEERING has been in Ian Taylor’s blood for as long as he can remember. He graduated in the subject at the University of London, worked for London Transport...
Back to the future: City’s new radio station looms large on the Horizon
19th April 2024
IN FIVE, four, three, two, one... Milton Keynes is preparing to tune into a new local radio station which is due to go on air on June 1.
Horizon Radio will be...
Financial
MP hails success of Chamber’s post-Budget business...
2nd April 2024
INTEREST rates, the employment market and delays to imports are among the challenges facing businesses in what remains a tough economic climate, a discussion forum has...
How to prosper as an international capitalist
2nd April 2024
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IN AN ERA of high and growing taxes, increasing government bureaucracy, legislation and regulation and a host of other issues in the UK,...
Legal
Why workplace ‘banter’ can cost employers dear
27th April 2024
KEEP an eye on the culture and banter in your workplace… It could help you to avoid a tribunal and hefty fine. In a recent tribunal case, a female solicitor...
IT managed service provider Bluecube acquires legal IT...
25th April 2024
MANAGED service provider Bluecube has become the leading provider to the law sector after acquiring legal IT specialist company CTS.
The deal follows CTS going into...
Bedfordshire
Vauxhall’s Luton plant director and UK manufacturing...
26th April 2024
THE DIRECTOR of the Vauxhall van-making plant in Luton is to retire after 36 years with the company.
Mark Noble joined the Luton factory in 1988 as a production...
Professor Joe Nellis: 40th anniversary scholarship tribute...
26th April 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Joe Nellis, world economy expert and Deputy Dean at Cranfield School of Management, who has had a MBA scholarship fund named in his honour to...