Dentons - UK Employment Law Round-up

Mental health awareness in the workplace – what can employers do?

May 30, 2019

It was Mental Health Awareness Week from 13 to 19 May 2019. While it is useful to have a dedicated week to highlight mental health awareness, organisations and their staff should be live to mental health issues all year round, not just for one week of the year.

Personal liability of directors for breaching the terms of employment contracts

May 30, 2019

Lithuanian workers won an exploitation case against what was sensationally described as "the worst gang master ever" in the case of Antuzis & Ors v. DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd & Ors. Beyond the modern slavery aspect of the case, the judgment clarifies the circumstances in which a director of a company can be personally liable for a breach of an employment contract, in particular highlighting that directors may be personally liable to pay damages if they cause the company to operate in breach of contractual and regulatory requirements.

Developments in disability discrimination

May 30, 2019

Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 ("the 2010 Act") and therefore individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination. They can take action via an employment tribunal (ET), if necessary, to enforce their rights.