RRNR’s grievance update …..

December 15th, 2011

15th December

Mr SC telephoned to let us know that RRNR’s grievance meeting had just taken place and the grievance upheld in its entirety.  RRNR was apparently overjoyed, his nose beaming brighter than ever at the news. He is keen to get back to work as soon as possible, Read the rest of this entry »

That dangerous combination of facebook and the office party?

December 14th, 2011

14th December

If they had had computers in 1AD, do you think the three wise men would have relied on a star to get them to Bethlehem? No of course not, they would have arranged it all via facebook and fitted their camels with a sat nav!Read the rest of this entry »

Are even reindeer entitled to a fair disciplinary hearing?

December 13th, 2011

13th December

Had a meeting yesterday with Mr SC regarding RRNR’s grievance.  He has now obtained statements from the whole transport team. Interestingly, two employees, Dancer and Prancer, have witnessed the bullying on more than one occasion and had wanted to speak out but were afraid to do so for fear of repercussions. Read the rest of this entry »

Can you force your employees to work extra hours in the run up to Xmas?

December 12th, 2011

12th December

Does the extra volume of work in the run up to Christmas mean you need your workforce to work extra hours? If you are in retail your shops will probably be staying open longer in the evening and if you are shepherd you will certainly want your employees Read the rest of this entry »

Can an experienced mediator magically restore harmony to the workplace?

December 9th, 2011

9th December

Had some follow up news from an old client today. Earlier in the year we advised a young lady called Cindy Rella who was the victim of some serious workplace bullying and harassment. It was an interesting case because she worked in a small family business and the perpetrators of the bullying were actually her own step mother and sisters. Read the rest of this entry »

When is a seasonal gift from a colleague really a bribe?

December 8th, 2011

8th December

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts and the occasional partridge in a pear tree or the odd pair of turtle doves infiltrating the workplace is hardly likely to cause a stir. But what if someone in your office suddenly starts receiving expensive or unusual daily gifts? Read the rest of this entry »

Discrimination against the fairer sex even in 2011?

December 7th, 2011

7th December

A young lady, Miss White, came into our office for advice today.  She works in a small mining company where, apart from herself, the entire workforce is male. She likes all the seven men, who she says have quite individual personalities but get on well as a team, but her issue is over the division of the workload. Read the rest of this entry »

If dyslexia is not an ‘elf and safety issue, can you dismiss an employee who has trouble reading and writing?

December 6th, 2011

6th December

We advised a new client yesterday on a possible disability discrimination claim.  He has worked for many years as a toy maker in a small global business which has its headquarters in Lapland, although he is based in the UK.  Unfortunately, as a result of the global recession, the company has been forced to make redundancies and his team has reduced from 10 to 8.  Read the rest of this entry »

‘Tis the season to be jolly…let’s not forget the employment policy’

December 5th, 2011

5th December

Definitely ‘tis the season to be jolly, as the workplace starts to fill up with tinsel, baubles and ….bottles of booze?

Yes, even in these difficult times employees will want to have a drink with colleagues or customers to spread a bit of Christmas cheer.  What is your employment policy on alcohol in the workplace and at business lunches and more to the point do your employees know exactly what the policy says?  Read the rest of this entry »

Nosing around for evidence in a grievance case?

December 2nd, 2011

2nd December

Got a call yesterday from longstanding client, Mr SC, who had just received a grievance letter from an employee in the transport department, complaining of bullying and harassment by the rest of the team. To be honest it came as quite a surprise to Mr SC as this employee had been with him for a very long time and had never mentioned any problem with his colleagues. Read the rest of this entry »