Workplace Law Magazine is available only to Premium Members of the Workplace Law Network. Produced 10 times each year, it is distributed in hard copy format in the first week of the month, and is also available online.
No smoking? Employers face the costs of kicking the habit
Regardless of personal views on smoking, it is true to say that employees shouldn't expect to be exposed to the dangers of smoke in the workplace. But what's important in adjusting to an inevitable ban on workplace smoking is how you approach the matter with employees who do smoke. The fact that they are partial to a cigarette (or 20) doesn't (necessarily) make them less able or dedicated workers, and employers need to be wary that these employees don't feel ostracised when their smoking room suddely becomes off limits.
You might assume that every smokers wants to be a non-smoker, but it's not actually the case and employers can't insist that they do. So whatever side of the smoking fence you sit on, it's worth remembering that smokers have needs to.
In this issue...
Legal calendar
Legislative developments, consultations, conferences, training, publications and important diary dates for the six months ahead.
Letters
Workplace Law Magazine readers comment on and argue against the legal developments affecting workplace management.
No smoking
Employers face the costs of kicking the habit.
Code of conduct
The Code of Conduct has had little impact, and government is likely to follow through threats to legislate, Catherine Edwards reports.
Sexual politics
You would never dream of allowing an employee to be referred to in a racist manner, so why treat someone of a different sexual orientation to the same sort of abuse, asks Alan Masson.
Muddling along
Employers frustrated by an employee's inability to carry out seemingly simply tasks should ask themselves whether that employee could be dyslexic, before they face claims of disability discrimination.
A pregnant pause
Workplace Law Magazne asks whether the Government's latest proposals to extend maternity leave are actually a step backwards for equal opportunities.
Equal rights?
Martin Brewer questions whether it is time that introduction of rights in the workplace was justified through a balance between the need for the particular right and the cost to business.
Case law
Workplace Law's panel of legal experts comment on the implications of important cases breaking the news this month.
Technical update
Comprehensive legal guidance on Data Protection: dealing with staff health issues; Work at Height: the new Regulations; and Part M (2004): access to and use of buildings.
Clinic
Solutions to you workplace legal queries.
Analysis
Research reveals that, of all causes of employment disputes, bullying is considered one of the least likely to be resolved internally by employers, and one of the most likely to lead to Employment Tribunal applications.
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