The pay level for the considered adequate standard of living is not being met by many employers outside of London with one in four jobs failing to pay the living wage. 23% of jobs outside of the nation’s capital failed to pay the living wage with 19% not paying the wage in the city.
The Scottish Government are to consider scrapping the controversial employment tribunal fees stating that the fees serve only as a “restriction to justice”.
Despite having one of the best female employment records in Europe, gender inequality is still proving to be a major issue in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The number of reforms has almost doubled in the last year despite reforms to try and cap the number of tribunals. Despite an initial decrease in the number of cases, the numbers have since rebounded.
The UK Government have warned that they will change the strike law in the UK in order to prevent strikes with a minimal turnout from unions.
A vicar has lost his appeal to bring an unfair dismissal appeal against the Church of England after a court ruled that he was employed by God.
A new law that grants Sikhs permission to wear their turban in all workplaces has come into force in the UK.
An open letter signed by more than 400 barristers and 40 QCs has condemned the government for increasing the fees of employment tribunals.
The national minimum wage has increased to £6.70, the biggest real term rise in seven years.
According to a report from the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) numerous Scots are facing unfair and difficult employment conditions.
Sports Direct is facing a multi million pound claim from 300 employees after they were excluded from a bonus scheme offered by the company due to their zero-hour contract status.
Two thirds of new fully employed workers are earning below the living wage according to research conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Research from The Herald Scotland has shown that companies are bracing themselves for a landslide of claims regarding holiday pay following a ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
An oil employer of 25 years has been awarded over £30,000 after it was deemed he was dismissed unfairly by Scotoil Services.
“No reasonable grounds”
David Williamson, 25, was fired for apparent harassment of staff. However an employment tribunal found that the Aberdeen based firm had “no reasonable grounds” for his dismissal. The judge also found that Scotoil had failed to thoroughly investigate complaints made by two employees that a Polish contract worker was unable to follow safety instructions when it came to cleaning high pressured equipment.
Judge McFatridge said the firm had “failed to distinguish” between “legitimate comment” and alleged “racially motivated bullying and harassment” branding investigation and subsequent dismissal as unfocused and unfair.
Employment Law Advice and Assistance in Scotland
For specialist legal advice in relation to employment law contact Watersrule Solicitors.
The recent European Court of Justice decision in May in the case of Lock v British Gas has established that staff who receive part of their earnings in commission should have this taken into account when holiday pay is calculated, not merely basic pay.
From 1st October 2014 a new provision in the Equality Act 2010 (Section 139A) gives Employment Tribunals additional powers to compel employers to conduct equal pay audits where they have been held to have breached equal pay laws or to have discriminated because of sex in non-contractual pay, unless one of the exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 (Equal Pay Audits) Regulations 2014 apply, such as discretionary bonuses.
