Weekly issue 71

News in brief

Firms that take steps to improve diversity in the workplace earn real business benefits, according to a joint report published recently by the TUC and CBI.

Daily grind

In order to claim unfair dismissal, agency workers have to show they are employees. In Augustin v Total Quality Staff Ltd, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) said that the crucial question is whether they can show they have been employed on a series of daily contracts of service.

Ticking time

The law says that employees are entitled to an extension of time for lodging an unfair dismissal claim if they reasonably believe their employer is following some sort of disciplinary or dismissal procedure.