This week’s news in brief
Discrimination cases against Lord Chancellor
The Equal Opportunities Commission is supporting an appeal by two women
claiming sex and race discrimination against the Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine.
Jane Coker and Martha Osamor claimed the way he appointed his special adviser
was discriminatory because the successful candidate had to be personally known
to him, a requirement that was a particular barrier to women and ethnic
minorities. Coker won her claim, but Osamor lost her race and sex claims and is
appealing against the decision.
Newman joins up with Beachcroft Wansbroughs
Employment law specialist Charles Newman has joined Beachcroft Wansbroughs’
London employment team of 26 solicitors, led by Elizabeth Adams.
Record compensation payout for asthma
A former school cook for Birmingham City Council has won almost £200,000
compensation in one of the largest settlements to date for occupational asthma.
The council admitted liability for Mary Watkins’ illness after it was found no
proper risk assessment had been carried out and there was no proper ventilation
in the confined space in which she worked.
Employment law advice line launched
A new advice line for employers with employment law queries has been
launched by Professional Personnel Management Consultants. It can be contact
24-hours a day on 07044 044602.
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Discrimination in prison service investigated
The Commission for Racial Equality has launched a formal investigation into
racial discrimination in the prison service after employment tribunals found
evidence of institutional racism at Brixton Prison. Brixton is one of three
institutions the CRE will scrutinise in its eight-month investigation.
