UK Employment Law - The View from Mayer Brown

In this episode, host Louise Fernandes-Owen, Global Professional Support Lawyer, interviews partners from the Employment & Benefits Group, Christopher Fisher and Miriam Bruce, about what 2023 may have in store for employers specifically in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) – with a focus on the UK landscape. They discuss four DEI areas that were particularly prominent during 2022 and will remain issues for employers to consider over the coming year: pay gap reporting, positive action, workplace investigations and culture reviews, and artificial intelligence.

In this episode, host Chris Fisher interviews Nikki Lees, People Director, Inclusion & Wellbeing at QBE, about QBE's strategy and approach to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.  This episode is intended to contribute to the continuing discussions around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and will be of interest to HR and DEI professionals and in house counsel.

In this episode of the Mayer Brown employment podcast, head of the London Employment Group, Chris Fisher, looks at a case where a client was unable to claim legal privilege over the original version of an investigation report, despite having sent it to their external lawyers for advice before it was issued to the employee: the case of University of Dundee v. Chakraborty.  

In our special DE&I podcast series, OPEN Talks, we deal with topics in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). Each episode will focus on a particular DE&I initiative or issue. In this episode, host Miriam Bruce interviews Danielle White, Mayer Brown's Diversity & Inclusion Manager for Europe, who talks about driving forward Diversity & Inclusion at Mayer Brown and in the legal sector more broadly. Automatically generated closed captions are available on YouTube.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at the recent Court of Appeal decision in Planon v Gilligan where the employer was refused an injunction to enforce a non compete clause because of the loss of income that the employee would have suffered and the two month delay before the employer issued its proceedings. 

In our special DE&I podcast series we deal with topics in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). Each episode will focus on a particular DE&I initiative or issue. In this episode, host Chris Fisher interviews Mayer Brown partners Nicole Saharsky and Marcia Goodman who represented the US women's national soccer team in their recent landmark equal pay claim.

In this episode, Chris Fisher and Miriam Bruce look at three recent cases, on whether a 12 month non-compete covenant could be enforced against a solicitor, when a resignation might become a dismissal if the employer exercises a payment in lieu clause and whether agency workers have the right to apply for vacant roles in the client organisation.

In this podcast episode, we explore the impact of the post-Covid workforce and the challenges facing employers in multiple jurisdictions. We consider the employment and mobility issues arising in the UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong, US and Brazil. The episode is divided into three parts: Part 3 focuses on the future of work. Please note this episode was recorded on November 15, 2021. Given the fast-moving nature of the topics covered, please check our ongoing commentary for the latest developments/regulations in all jurisdictions. For example, in Germany, strict Workplace Access rules were implemented as of November 24, 2021.

In this podcast episode, we explore the impact of the post-Covid workforce and the challenges facing employers in multiple jurisdictions. We consider the employment and mobility issues arising in the UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong, US and Brazil. The episode is divided into three parts: Part 2 focuses on remote and hybrid working. Please note this episode was recorded on November 15, 2021. Given the fast-moving nature of the topics covered, please check our ongoing commentary for the latest developments/regulations in all jurisdictions. For example, in Germany, strict Workplace Access rules were implemented as of November 24, 2021.

In this podcast episode, we explore the impact of the post-Covid workforce and the challenges facing employers in multiple jurisdictions. We consider the employment and mobility issues arising in the UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong, US and Brazil. The episode is divided into three parts: Part 1 focuses on vaccinations and the workforce. Please note this episode was recorded on November 15, 2021. Given the fast-moving nature of the topics covered, please check our ongoing commentary for the latest developments/regulations in all jurisdictions. For example, in Germany, strict Workplace Access rules were implemented as of November 24, 2021.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at the Court of Appeal case of Gwynedd Council v Barratt and the question of whether (or when) an employer should offer a right of appeal on a redundancy dismissal in order to avoid a claim of unfair dismissal.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at the recent EAT case of Kong v Gulf International Bank, where a whistleblower claimed that their dismissal was unfair because it had been manipulated by a manager who was not involved in the dismissal process.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at two recent discrimination cases dealing with two important issues – will interim relief remedies be introduced for discrimination claims and will gender-critical beliefs be protected as philosophical beliefs.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at two cases relevant to employers looking to bring employees back to work. The first is Sinclair v Trackwork, regarding an employee dismissed because of ‘upset and friction' caused by the way in which he was carrying out his health and safety responsibilities and whether that dismissal was automatically unfair because of the special protections around health and safety dismissals in the Employment Rights Act. And the second is Khatun v Winn Solicitors, a ‘fire and re-hire' case about when an employer can fairly dismiss an employee who refuses to agree Covid-related changes to their employment contract.

In this episode of the podcast, Chris looks at an unfair dismissal case about an employee who refused to return to work due to Covid-related safety concerns, and a case about mandatory vaccination policies and whether they can amount to a breach of human rights.

In this episode, Chris Fisher and Miriam Bruce look at the recent cases of McTear v Amey on when an employee’s contract can be split in two on a TUPE transfer and Kubilius v Kent Foods, the first Tribunal decision regarding an employee’s refusal to wear a face mask.

In this episode, Chris Fisher and Miriam Bruce look at the Phones 4U v EE and Northbay v Anderson cases which consider the disclosure of employees’ personal phones in litigation and when covert surveillance by an employee in the workplace will amount to grounds for dismissal.

In this episode, Chris looks at two discrimination decisions from the EAT: Chalmers v Airpoint on when a complaint about discrimination will amount to a protected act for victimisation purposes, and Allay (UK) v Gehlen which looks at how often an employer should run bullying and harassment training.

In this episode, Chris looks at two recent Court of Appeal cases. Sarnoff v YZ, where disclosure was ordered in a UK discrimination claim against a board director living in the US, and Adedeji v University Hospitals Birmingham, where an extension of time for a discrimination claim was refused despite being only three days late.

In this episode, Chris Fisher looks at two cases: the landmark case of Steer v Stormsure which may lead to interim relief becoming available in discrimination cases, and Gerrard v ENRC which relates to whether covert surveillance can ever amount to harassment.

In his final podcast for Mayer Brown, Nick concludes his review of key lessons he has learnt during 30 plus years of being an employment lawyer. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

In the first of a two part series, Nick looks at some of the key lessons he has learnt from 30 plus years of practicing as an employment lawyer. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick and Chris Fisher look at some of the key cases coming up in 2021, and what this may mean for employers. Plus there is some news about the future of the podcast. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick and Miriam Bruce look at the key cases for 2020, in this end of year review. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick takes a look at a EAT decision on an appeal against a decision by the Tribunal Judge to hold a Tribunal hearing in person rather than doing it remotely, via a platform. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick’s Christmas podcast review looks at a recent case on ways in which a settlement agreement can be challenged after it was agreed, and whether without prejudice material can be taken into account in that challenge. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

This episode looks at a recent case which emphasises the importance of applying the strict words of the statute when deciding whether or not there was a redundancy situation. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick takes a look at a case where a former employer made an adverse statement to the new employer about the claimant, and then the episode looks at the risks for employers in making such comments. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks in detail at the Beckwith case in the High Court and what this means for regulators and employers on the interplay between work and private life. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at two contrasting cases in this episode. The first looks at the key issue of whether an employer can justify indirect discrimination on the grounds of cost. The second looks at a constructive dismissal claim in the context of a dispute between family members that made the newspapers. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at two recent cases, dealing with key issues. The first case decides that workers have additional health and safety rights under EU law. The second look at where directors can be sued by their employer, if the director is domiciled outside of England and Wales. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick takes a look at two employment tribunal cases which consider whether particular philosophical beliefs were worthy of protection under the Equality Act 2010. He then considers a case where the employer was relying on Whatsapp messages for disciplinary purposes. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick is joined by Chris Milsom from Cloisters to discuss preparing for Tribunal hearings which are being conducted remotely. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick is joined by Nicolas Simon from Belgian firm Van Olmen and Wynant who discusses five things that you need to know about Belgian employment law. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick takes a look at the proper handling of redundancies this autumn in the light of the CBI/TUC/ACAS joint statement on redundancies and the Job Retention Scheme. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

In our latest episode Nick looks at a case where the employee tried to rely on the GDPR and Human Rights to prevent disciplinary proceedings being taken against her. We also look at a case where the employer’s decision to dismiss was taken in ignorance of a relevant piece of information, which was known to its investigator. Finally we have a surprising case of a fair dismissal where there was no warning, no process and no possibility of appeal. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at three (non coronavirus related) cases. The first looks at an injunction to prevent the disclosure of allegations about an employer, the second looks at the correct test for disability discrimination and the third considers when a worker is a temporary agency worker. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at three cases which have nothing do to with the Government’s furlough scheme. In the first the employer tried to cancel outstanding payments because the employee broke the confidentiality clause in a settlement agreement, in the second an employee secures an unusual remedy in a disability discrimination claim and in the third the tribunal restates the importance of the orthodox approach to making redundancies. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at the Third Treasury Direction and the ways in which it differs from the previous Directions. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

Nick looks at the latest guidance and the significant changes to the Furlough Scheme contained within the various Guidance Notes. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.

As various jurisdictions around the world begin to ease restrictions, multinational employers are grappling with a wide range of issues and risks that need to be addressed when planning a safe return to the workplace. This global broadcast forms part of Mayer Brown’s 10Hundred series, designed to illuminate the key areas of potential liability and provide practical tips to help employers minimize risks in returning to work. We will develop this series on a country by country basis, where our speakers will drill deeper into the issues that will need particular attention. In this episode we are joined by Employment and Benefits speakers from across our global platform, with a high level focus on the key global health and safety and risk assessment issues, privacy points, other legal risks, benefits issues and global mobility and migration. Speakers: Nicholas Robertson (London); Hong Tran (Hong Kong); Régine Goury (Paris); Guido Zeppenfeld (Frankfurt); Andy Rosenman (Chicago); Maureen Gorman (Palo Alto); Elizabeth Stern (DC).

Nick looks at the most recent news on the changes to the Furlough Scheme. In particular he considers critical importance of immediate planning by employers who intend to use the Furlough Scheme after 1 August. To follow Nick on Twitter, please go to Nicholas Robertson@NicholasRober11.