Welcome to this week’s MMD, where we’ll be covering a significant employment tribunal ruling that highlights the importance for fair treatment in the workplace, especially for pregnant employees.

Daniel brings us a video discussing the approach to the scoring of employees in a redundancy exercise, plus don’t miss our upcoming events and seminars!

THE MEDIA HUB

Oversharing?

This video discusses the approach to the scoring of employees in a redundancy exercise, focusing specifically on whether those involved should be able to see how scores have been applied to their colleagues.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/6nmgsiWvTPI

Employment Tribunal Awards £350,000 in Pregnancy Discrimination Case Against Mitie

In a recent employment tribunal ruling, a former regional accounts manager at Mitie was awarded over £350,000 in damages after being found to have been wrongly dismissed due to pregnancy discrimination.

The case centred on the Claimant’s experience after she informed her employer in May 2020 that she was pregnant. Despite sharing that she was suffering from panic attacks, disrupted sleep, and possible workplace stress, Mitie failed to conduct a risk assessment during her pregnancy. The tribunal noted that the company was already aware of her stress due to a difficult workplace relationship.

In a key piece of evidence, an email from the Claimant’s manager to HR suggested she took unpaid leave before her maternity leave began. The tribunal found that this suggestion was based on stereotypical views, labelling the Claimant as an “emotional, hormonal pregnant woman.” The manager’s description of her as “emotional and tearful” was deemed dismissive and belittling.

The judgment highlighted that rather than genuinely supporting the Claimant, the manager seemed more concerned with the company’s appearance, aiming to move her out of the way so others could step in. The tribunal’s ruling emphasises the need for employers to provide proper support and fair treatment, particularly for pregnant employees, to avoid similar costly outcomes.

Read the full tribunal report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e04a16b8da63b345c86250/Ms_N_Hinds_v_Mitie_Limited-_3322885-2021_and_3322911-2021-_Reasons.pdf

 
UPCOMING EVENTS

We have several exciting events and seminars lined up that you won’t want to miss:

• 24^th Sept, 8:30 AM | Wakefield Trinity / 26^th Sept, 8:30 AM | Hays Leeds Office
  Post-Election Update with Hays Recruitment
• 17^th Oct, 8:30 AM | Sedulo Leeds Office
  Incentivising Employees with Sedulo
• 20^th Nov, 8:30 AM | Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds
  Mock Tribunal Event on Menopause and Age Discrimination
• 21^st Nov, 8:30 AM | OE Electrics, Wakefield
  Post-Election Update with Wakefield Manufacturing Forum

For more details and how to register please visit our website:

www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk/seminars/business-services-seminars/

Or email: seminars@chadlaw.co.uk

JOIN US FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SESSIONS

Through our relationship with Tailored Learning Solutions who provide mental health first aid courses in our business, we are now able to announce that we are running multiple courses at our Wakefield office including the following:

• 25/26^th Sept: Mental Health First Aid (2-day course)
• 27^th Sept: Mental Health First Aid – Refresher (½-day workshop)
• 14^th Oct: Mental Health for Managers Workshop (1-day workshop)

The details of these sessions can be found at the Tailored Learning Solutions website:  https://www.tailoredlearningsolutions.co.uk/book-online?category=all-services

If you would like further information and details of the cost for these events, please email: carolgledhill@chadlaw.co.uk