Ian Smith provides a round-up from the coalface
Four cases have been chosen for this column in order to keep us all amused and free from suicidal thoughts as the darker autumn days are upon us. They all concern mainstream areas of employment law and have a certain theme, namely as being to some degree shots across the bow to both sides of the employment contract. The first case is a warning to agency workers that their legal protection, while important, does have limits, especially where in conflict with the greater rights of permanent staff. The second case suggests a possible complication for employers in relation to an employee’s right to accompaniment at a disciplinary hearing; those advising employers will have to hope that it is actually a one-off on odd facts (especially as it was a common law claim, not heard by the specialist Employment Appeal Tribunal which just might have come to a different conclusion). The third case is yet another example of a hard line being taken on the dismissal of an employee for highly unfortunate remarks posted on social
