Employment

Investigation into how equality and human rights are protected and promoted in the cleaning sector

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is calling for evidence as part of an in-depth examination into recruitment and employment practices in the cleaning industry.

First Minister sets out Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle ‘blacklisting’

Steps taken include new guidelines for companies seeking public sector contracts, who if they are found to have used a blacklist of trade union members will have to show they have taken appropriate remedial action.

‘Initial recruitment to traineeships is disappointing’ says Ofsted’s director for FE and skills

TES told that the Department for Education’s decision to only allow providers rated good or outstanding to offer the government’s programme for helping young people into work had limited its impact.

UK ranks last in Europe in giving parents ‘well-paid’ leave following a child’s birth says TUC

New TUC analysis highlights that new mothers in the UK get six weeks of statutory maternity pay at 90 per cent of their wage, whereas the European average for 'well-paid' leave is 43 weeks.

Employment case law round up

B.S. v. Dundee City Council

[2013] CSIH 91

CSC Computer Sciences Ltd v McAlinden & Ors

[2013] EWCA Civ 1435

Crystal Palace FC Ltd & Anor v Kavanagh & Ors

[2013] EWCA Civ 1410

Scott v Russell

[2013] EWCA Civ 1432

Job quality close to 20-year low says TUC

TUC publishes new job quality index which tracks pay rises against the rising cost of living and the number of people who can’t find enough hours in their current job.

Link between youth unemployment and economic growth has been broken says think tank

New report from the Institute for Public Policy Research finds that whilst the unemployment rate for 25-64 year-olds has fallen by 0.2 per cent over the last year, the youth unemployment rate has risen by 0.5 per cent

Employment case law round up

McDonald v Department for Communities and Local Government & Anor

[2013] EWCA Civ 1346

TUC calls for ‘bold rise’ in the national minimum wage next year

If increases in the minimum wage had kept pace with price rises since 2007 a full-time worker's annual salary would now be £770 higher, TUC says.

New HMRC team to enforce non-payment of national minimum wage in the recruitment sector

In a written statement to parliament, government minister Jo Swinson announces a more targeted enforcement strategy for the recruitment sector with resources from the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate moving to the HMRC national minimum wage team from yesterday.

Employment case law round up

UK Living Wage rises to £7.65 an hour

Guardian reports on increase as Ed Miliband pledges tax breaks to employers adopting voluntary rate.