October 2017 Newsletter – Education sector

It’s October. However, contrary to the spirit of Halloween we aim to help, rather than spook, with our update on the Data Protection Bill, parental bereavement leave and ACAS guidance on mental health in the workplace. Finally we share some haunting tales in our case update in relation to misconduct investigations and references to previous incidents and, finally, an Advocate General’s Opinion that pregnant workers may be protected even when employers are not aware of the pregnancy.

What we’ve been doing in the Education sector recently…

We understand that the government’s equalities office is looking into the situation where some employers are effectively jumping the Brexit gun. Researchers have found job adverts that specify that those applying must have British passports, including for a graduate sales executive in Bristol that required German language skills but restricting the job to full UK passport holders. This carries with it two risks, the first is possible discrimination claims, the other is a potential issue with regard to Immigration. If you have any questions over immigration or visa matters we are pleased to announce we have a strategic partnership with Select Visa Services and we will be pleased to work with you on any such matters.

Simon Martin
Partner, Solicitor
email Simon or call 0117 325 0929

• Government reforms (1): Data protection bill
• Government reforms (2): Family friendly – Parental bereavement leave
• ACAS guidance: Mental health in the workplace
• Case update (1):  Unfair dismissal – Investigation
• Case update (2): Sex discrimination – Pregnant workers