Weekly Issue 99 - April 2005

In the news

The Government has announced, as part of a new Equality Bill, that it will set up a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) in October 2007.

Shifting burden

In discrimination cases, the law says that the claimant has to identify facts from which a tribunal could conclude that there has been unlawful discrimination, in the absence of an adequate explanation.

Pay up

The legal principle underpinning equal pay is a simple one - that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work or work of equal value.

Taking the time

Under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRA), union members and officials have the right to a certain amount of time off to learn the skills to do their job properly.

Stressed out

Employers have a duty to take reasonable care to ensure their employees are not injured at work.

Work your time

The Working Time Directive states that workers should not work, on average, more than 48 hours per week.

Consult under TUPE

Under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE), employers are required to consult with employee representatives before the transfer about how it might affect them.

Deduct from TUPE

Under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE), the existing terms and conditions of employees have to be honoured by the new employer.