In Brief: Important Updates from October 2017

Did you miss something? Subscribers to Legal-Island's Northern Ireland Employment Law Hub find it easy to keep up to date with developments in the world of HR and Employment Law. The Hub is a one-stop-shop for in-depth articles, case law analysis and updates relating specifically to how the law applies in Northern Ireland. It is fully searchable, available 24/7 and has a useful browse by topic function.

Here are some of the important articles we covered in October 2017:

• Dress code in the workplace
• Case Review: harassment, victimisation on grounds of religious belief and political opinion, constructive unfair dismissal
• Joint Declaration of Protection (for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environment)
• Cyber-attack victim fined £60,000 for insufficient data protection

Dress Code in the Workplace

Dress code in the workplace has attracted a lot of media attention in recent months and there remains a lot of uncertainty amongst employers and employees about what dress code is appropriate or acceptable. Rachel Richardson, Director in the Employment department in Tughans, considers the topic in this month’s ‘How do I handle it?’ article.
https://www.legal-island.com/articles/uk/features/how-do-i-handle-it/2017/oct/dress-code-in-the-workplace/

Scott v Stevenson & Reid Ltd [2017] 82/15 FET 2577/15

The Fair Employment Tribunal has found that a woman who worked for Stevenson & Reid Ltd, a Belfast bathroom, heating and plumbing company, was discriminated against, harassed and victimised on grounds of religious belief and political opinion and was constructively unfairly dismissed. A Director in the company, shouted and swore at her in front of her colleagues and, as part of the outburst, shouted ‘Tiocfaidh ar lá’. She was awarded £20,736 in compensation, including a sum for injury to feelings.
https://www.legal-island.com/articles/uk/case-law/2017/october/scott-v-stevenson--reid-ltd-2017/

Joint Declaration of Protection (for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environment)

Legal-Island supports a new initiative by the four main employer representative bodies and the trade union movement in Northern Ireland to encourage workplace inclusiveness. On 26 October 2017 the NI Employment Relations Roundtable launched the Joint Declaration of Protection (for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environment).

The Declaration states everyone has a right to equality of opportunity in employment and the right to work in a harmonious and inclusive environment and atmosphere in which all workers are encouraged to apply their diverse talents and in which no worker feels under threat or experiences intimidation.
https://www.legal-island.com/articles/uk/features/supplementary/2017/oct/joint-declaration-of-protection-for-dignity-at-work-and-inclusive-working-environment/

Any Questions?

Do you want to take part in a monthly online Q&A session about important employment law matters, relevant to HR practitioners and representatives in Northern Ireland? Join Legal-Island’s Head of L&D, Scott Alexander, and O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors’ Director, Seamus McGranaghan, as they discuss topical employment issues in our new monthly lunchtime webinar series. The next webinar will last 30 minutes and will run from 12.00 – 12.30 on 22nd of November.
https://www.legal-island.com/resources/any-questions-webinars/

Cyber-attack victim fined £60,000 for insufficient data protection

The severity of fines imposed by the ICO sends a stern warning to businesses, highlighting the need for adequate security measures to be put in place in order to prevent a data security breach. Michael Black, Employment and Immigration Director in Cleaver Fulton Rankin, provides a valuable summary of the decision and outlines the key findings of the ICO.
https://www.legal-island.com/articles/uk/features/quarterly-reviews/2017/oct/cyber-attack-victim-fined-60000-for-insufficient-data-protection/