Welcome to Allen & Overy’s Employment Talk blog, sharing with you our views and insights into the latest trends, risks and developments with HR boardroom issues and employment law and practice.
Is a dismissal without following a prior process always unfair?
13 August 2020 David Merlin-Jones and Abigail Holmes
Not always. A fair process is a prerequisite for a fair dismissal, but in exceptional circumstances an employer can dispense with the process and still dismiss fairly, the EAT has confirmed in a ruling handed down this week. While fact-specific and therefore to be treated with caution, this could prove useful for employers managing or › Read More
Redundancy and pregnant employees
11 August 2020 Sheila Fahy
This is the first in a series of blogs on redundancy, covering developments and issues that can be challenging for employers. It will culminate in a seminar in the autumn. The first blog looks at the protection available for pregnant employees and those returning from maternity leave. This will be followed by two blogs on › Read More
Financial services nudging the diversity agenda
04 August 2020 Sarah Henchoz
Culture, culture, culture The impact on business as usual has been felt by all sectors in one way or another. But for those in financial services, the Financial Conduct Authority has made it clear that there will be no downgrading of its regulatory expectations in relation to culture. As far as the FCA is concerned, › Read More
More than a Hashtag: How do I become an active ally?
02 July 2020 Nicola Bartholomew
Growing up in rural Scotland and the Peak District, I had an exclusively white childhood. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit that I did not study or play with anyone of another race until I went to university. Thankfully, today, my world is a lot different. I love living and working in a diverse › Read More
26 June 2020 Rachel Reeves
It’s been difficult to know how to react, what to say and what to do in the wake of the horrific and unnecessary deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks less than three weeks apart. They’re certainly not the first we’ve experienced but we live in hope they are the last. But who could fail › Read More
The injustice of Covid-19 coronavirus – time to step up
18 June 2020 Rachel Reeves
Never have we needed role models more than in the face of a pandemic which shows no signs of retreat in the present climate. A huge shout out today for Marcus Rashford, a 22-year-old Man United forward, who has spoken up in support of extending the school meal voucher scheme in England. Openly sharing powerful › Read More
U.S. Supreme Court finds that workplace discrimination against LGBT employees is unlawful
17 June 2020 Brian Jebb
On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The 6-to-3 opinion, penned by President Trump’s appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch, consolidates three cases which were argued last year: Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia; Altitude Express › Read More