Monthly Archives: July 2008

Navy Discrimination Case – burden of proof

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Usefully Employed

The rules on the burden of proof in discrimination cases have been discussed on this blog quite recently – the case of Kenney v Ministry of Defence is nicely illustrative of a case where the Claimant fails to cross the … Continue reading →

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Civil Juries

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Usefully Employed

In the US, many civil actions are tried by juries, including some employment jurisdictions. This has one obvious drawback:   …although I’ve heard reasoned judgments which were about as thorough…

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National Minimum Wage changes

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Usefully Employed

Personnel Today reports that the government have reached a deal with unions to extend the full rate of the NMW to 21 year olds, “subject to advice from the Low Pay Commission.” We can guess what that advice will be, … Continue reading →

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More on gays in the military

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Usefully Employed

Recently I posted on the Army becoming a Stonewall Diversity Champion – their dramatic change of approach over the years met with little interest. Compare and contrast with the situation in the USA, with their odd ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell‘ … Continue reading →

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BVC debacle

Posted on July 26, 2008 by Usefully Employed

This post is somewhat off-topic, although I justify it as relevant to careers in general. I am a former solicitor who is transferring to the bar, and I’m currently in my pupillage. As a result, through visits to my Inn, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lawyers, Rambling | 8 Comments

Waitress – sexual harassment award

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Usefully Employed

You wait ages for reports of decisions on injury to feelings awards, and two turn up at once. Following on from my last post about a gay member of staff bullied because of his sexuality, this is a more ‘traditional’ … Continue reading →

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Gay church employee succeeds in discrimination claim

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Usefully Employed

Stephen Price, an openly-gay practising Christian, won his tribunal claim against the Presbyterian Church in Wales. A BBC report and ‘steps-of-the-tribunal’ interview is here. Although it’s an obvious headline-grabber there’s not much surprising here legally; once the tribunal had come … Continue reading →

Posted in Disciplinary | 1 Comment

Army becomes Stonewall’s 400th Diversity Champion

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Usefully Employed

In dramatic style, Stonewall has named the Army as its 400th Diversity Champion. It must be remembered that it has only been a few years since the RAF went to Strasbourg to defend an outright ban on gay service personnel. … Continue reading →

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Do Maternity Laws bring down women?

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Usefully Employed

Interesting article in the Times interviewing Nicola Brewer, the chief executive of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. She says that although maternity rights have been important, it is “an inconvenient truth that giving women a year off work after … Continue reading →

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Registrars – Religious Discrimination – 2

Posted on July 13, 2008 by Usefully Employed

I regret having done such a long post on why Lillian Ladele might have won her religious discrimination claim in Ladele v London Borough of Islington, only for someone to kindly point me in the direction of the full judgment … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination | 12 Comments