Sixty women at MoD complain of widespread ‘toxic’ and ‘hostile’ behaviour – The Guardian

‘Sixty senior women at the UK’s Ministry of Defence have described a “hostile” and “toxic” culture at the department in a letter that alleges sexual assault, harassment and abuse by male colleagues.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lessons for Employers in handling Gender-transition at work – AB v Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames – Old Square Chambers

‘The London South Employment Tribunal (EJ McLaren and lay members) has handed down judgment and written reasons in AB v Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.’

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Old Square Chambers, 19th October 2023

Source: oldsquare.co.uk

Lancashire teacher wins £800k over cancer discrimination – BBC News

‘An early years specialist who was told to reapply for her job while being treated for cancer before being sacked has been awarded an £800,000 pay-out.’

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BBC News, 7th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rise in UK employment tribunal claims alleging neurodiversity discrimination – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 8th, 2023 in disabled persons, employment, employment tribunals, equality, news by sally

‘Helen Corden tells HRNews about supporting neurodiverse staff in the workplace.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 7th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Rebecca Kalam: Officer ‘vindicated’ after sex discrimination win – BBC News

‘A firearms officer awarded £30,000 after she was stripped down to her underwear during a training exercise said she felt “vindicated” by the decision.’

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BBC News, 8th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 3rd, 2023 in employment, energy, equality, internet, legislation, public procurement, rates by sally

2023 c. 54 – Procurement Act 2023

2023 c. 53 – Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023

2023 c. 51 – Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023

2023 c. 50 – Online Safety Act 2023

2023 c. 52 – Energy Act 2023

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Men start earning more than women at the Bar from day one – Legal Futures

Posted November 2nd, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, remuneration, sex discrimination, statistics, women by sally

‘Earnings diverge between male and female barristers in every practice area from the start of their careers – when the differential is 17% – and peak at 11-15 years’ call, new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd November 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Equalities minister apologises for delay in Bill banning conversion therapy – The Independent

‘An equalities minister has apologised for the delay in bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy, but did not commit to its inclusion in the King’s Speech when challenged.’

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The Independent, 25th October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sunak to push ahead with delayed ban on gay and trans conversion practices – The Guardian

‘Rishi Sunak will push ahead with long-delayed plans to ban gay and trans conversion practices after Conservative whips warned MPs could rebel if they failed to do so.’

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The Guardian, 19th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Let’s talk menopause – what employers need to know – Mills & Reeve

Posted October 18th, 2023 in employment, equality, menopause, news, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘Because we should, in 2023, all be comfortable talking openly about the menopause. Often seen as a private matter, or “a women’s issue”, menopause is still widely ignored in too many workplaces. It matters.’

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Mills & Reeve, 18th October 2023

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Conversion therapy: Equality watchdog calls for ban – BBC News

‘Britain’s equality watchdog has called on the government to ban “harmful” conversion-therapy practices.’

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BBC News, 17th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Homelessness and evidence – Nearly Legal

‘Oday Yabari, R (on the application of) v The Lord Mayor and Citizens of the City of Westminster (2023) EWHC 185 (Admin). A judicial review of what was alleged to be Westminster’s failure to meet its s.188(1) duty to secure suitable accommodation and breach of Public Sector Equality Duty.’

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Nearly Legal, 15th October 2023

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Labour seeking to delay antisemitism leak lawsuit until after election – The Guardian

‘Labour is seeking to delay until after the general election a court case against five former staff alleging they leaked a report concerned with the party’s handling of antisemitism complaints, as its costs were said to have apparently soared to £1.4m.’

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The Guardian, 6th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Worker sent home for wearing ‘short dress’ wins sex harassment case – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 6th, 2023 in employment, employment tribunals, equality, harassment, news, sex discrimination, women by michael

‘Levinna Ola said she felt “traumatised, embarrassed and degraded” by comments made by her bosses at NHS pharmacy about her outfits.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th October 2023

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Dyslexia and the importance of assessing the effect of disability on giving evidence – 3PB

‘The Appellant was Ms Habib. She brought a discrimination case against the Respondent, the nature of which was not really relevant to the decision of the EAT. Credibility was a key issue however. The Tribunal found that the way the Appellant gave evidence led them to believe that she was not always being truthful and that her recollection was sometimes unreliable. Her claims were dismissed.’

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3PB, 4th September 2023

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Woman alleging menopause discrimination to be heard by employment tribunal in legal first – The Independent

‘The case of a woman who was allegedly discriminated against due to suffering menopause symptoms will be heard by an employment tribunal this week in a legal first.’

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The Independent, 2nd October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK regulators’ diversity plans for finance industry – OUT-LAW.com

‘Plans by the UK’s two financial regulators to consider non-financial misconduct such as sexual harassment as grounds for regulatory action could pose difficult questions for firms, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 28th September 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Speech by Rupika Madhura BSB Director of Standards (Interim) at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum on 20 September 2023 – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 28th, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, speeches by sally

‘Topic: The role of regulation in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal sector – regulatory requirements and priorities, initiatives and next steps, sector responsibilities, and future areas of focus.’

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Bar Standards Board, 26th September 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Watchdog updates technical guidance for schools regarding pupils with protected characteristics – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its technical guidance for schools in England and Scotland, outlining the obligations the Equality Act places upon schools regarding pupils with protected characteristics and the provision of their education.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th September 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Sheffield council faces mass equal pay claim over ‘scandalous’ pay grades – The Guardian

‘Sheffield city council is to become the latest local authority to face a mass equal pay claim from women who have been underpaid by up to £11,000 a year, the GMB union has said.’

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The Guardian, 25th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com