Sex discrimination
The Equality Act 2010 bans employers from committing direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation against individuals because of their sex. However, employers can justify indirect sex discrimination to achieve a legitimate aim through proportionate means.
Prior to the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 on 1 October 2010, discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment and marriage and civil partnership was set out in the now repealed Sex Discrimination Act 1975. However, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment and marriage and civil partnership all exist as protected characteristics in their own right under the Equality Act 2010.
Shared parental leave and pay – equalising opportunities?
With reports citing that only 1% of those eligible took a period of shared parental leave in 2018 it is...
Menstruation: Is period pain a disability?
Many men and women still view menstruation as a taboo topic and feel uncomfortable talking about periods, even though they...
Royal Mail driver told she should be ‘in the kitchen’ wins case
A Royal Mail driver who was told she should be “back home and in the kitchen” has won £2,600 in...
Equality regulator to investigate pay discrimination at BBC
The BBC is being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission following complaints that female employees were not paid...
Virgin Atlantic cabin crew can go make-up free
Female cabin crew working for Virgin Atlantic will no longer be required to wear make-up while on their shift.
They...
ONS economist wins £19,000 in sex discrimination case
A female economist who worked for the Office for National Statistics has been awarded £19,000 in compensation after she was...
Walmart staff file gender discrimination case
Almost 100 women in the US have filed a gender discrimination claim against retail giant Walmart, alleging they have been...
New mums to receive six months more redundancy protection
Pregnant women and new mothers returning to work after having children are to receive greater protection from being treated unfairly,...
The 10 most important employment law cases in 2018
As always, HR professionals had their fair share of employment law cases to keep track of in 2018, but what...
Women face discrimination in surgeons’ ‘old boys club’, research finds
Six out of 10 female surgeons have experienced discrimination at work, with many feeling the profession does not support childcare...
Nine New Year’s resolutions for HR
You may be eating more healthily, exercising more or doing dry January, but for HR professionals returning to work, legal...
Largest university in UK hit by boycott over outsourced staff
Academics, students and leading politicians have launched a boycott of the University of London in support of outsourced workers
Lloyds ordered to pay up to £150 million to female pension scheme members
The High Court has ruled that Lloyds Banking Group must pay up to £150 million to female members of its...
How menopause policies can help to reduce employment tribunal risk
If women’s menopause symptoms are not treated sensitively, employers can face increased risks of claims for sex and disability discrimination....
Schoolgirl awarded £16k in Pizza Hut sexual harassment case
A 17-year-old schoolgirl receptionist at a Pizza Hut Delivery branch in east London has been awarded £15,800 after winning a...
