The following useful websites provide free information about employment law and related topics. There is no shortage these days of information, the key is in how information is used strategically to achieve what you need. For strategic employment law advice from a solicitor call Cambridge Legal now on 01223 776200 or email enquiries@cambridgelegal.co.uk
ACAS
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) was founded in 1975. It is part of the civil service that aims to improve employment relations. The importance of the ACAS Code and the ACAS Guide are explained in our articles ‘Grievances at Work’ and ‘Disciplinary Action’.
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.a Mx?articleid=1461
Case Law
The British and Irish Legal Information Institute provides access to many case reports at appeal level. The site is not restricted to employment law.
Companies House
Excluding companies in liquidation or dissolution there were 3,349,248 registered companies in the UK at the end of November 2015. Most of these have employees. This is an essential and useful website if you are dealing with a company
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
Department for Work & Pensions
Find out what the Government is up to and who is responsible.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
Disability Discrimination
All forms of unlawful discrimination are dealt with under the Equality Act 2010. Someone discriminated against because of a physical or mental impairment should seek advice. The first question is whether or not they have a disability within the definition of ‘disability’ under section 6 of the Equality Act. The Government has produced a guidance.
EHRC Equality and Human Rights Commission
This is the official body set up by Parliament to deal with equality and discrimination. It challenges discrimination and protects and promotes human rights. The website says: ‘We live in a country with a long history of upholding people’s rights, valuing diversity and challenging intolerance. The EHRC seeks to maintain and strengthen this heritage…’ The site has good information about the Equality Act 2010.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Employment Appeal Tribunal
If at first you don’t succeed – you may want to appeal. Read our article ‘Appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal’. The EAT website is also informative.
https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/employment-appeal-tribunal
Employment Tribunals
The site provides information about lodging or defending employment claims, venue addresses and contact details for employment tribunals, procedural rules and access to ET1 and ET3 forms.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals
Health & Safety Executive
All employers have a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of their employees. There is a common law duty, based on case law, and a statutory duty, based on the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.The HSE provides help and advice on health and safety and working time issues.
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Access to information about you as an individual, such as personnel records, can be obtained under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Information held by public bodies is governed by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The ICO describes itself as ‘the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals’.
Legislation
Employment law is largely the creation of statute (Act of Parliament). Two of the most important employment law statutes are the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Equality Act 2010. For access to the text of statutes try the following useful website.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/
Trades Union Congress (TUC)
The TUC states that it aims to “raise the quality of working life and promote equality for all”. Its website contains much interesting research as well as practical advice for workers and employers.
21 Group
The 21 Group was founded at the University of Cambridge to support staff experiencing bullying, harassment and discrimination. The Group’s name derives from the fact that in a staff survey, 21% of employees at the University of Cambridge reported having been subjected to bullying or harassment at work. Cambridge Legal Practice supports those who work in higher education and successfully litigates against well-known universities.
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Clearly, this is of interest to a particular section of professionals. We have represented a number of nurses at disciplinary tribunals of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. One of our specialisms is representing those accused of professional misconduct.
National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB)
This is one of our great national organisations largely based on volunteers. The CAB was set up in 1939 to help people deal with problems at the outbreak of the Second World War. It provides free information and advice in communities throughout the UK. The useful website contains useful information on employment law.
The Pensions Regulator
The Pensions Regulator is the UK regulator of work-based pension schemes. The Pensions Regulator works with trustees, employers, pension specialists and business advisers, as well as giving guidance on what is expected of them. Try this useful website.
http://thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/about-us.aspx
Protect (previously called Public Concern at Work)
Try this website for information on ‘whistleblowing’ which is also known as public interest disclosure. It is a whistleblowing charity that aims to protect society by encouraging workplace whistleblowing.
Useful websites only take you so far. For legal advice from the employment law specialists, call Cambridge Legal now on 01223 776200 or email enquiries@cambridgelegal.co.uk
“Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.” JM Barrie