During a recent interview for Addleshaw Goddard TV, Dr Stephen Hardy of 9 St John Street Employment Team, forewarned employers about a potential increase in discrimination and whistleblowing claims. He commented that "...as the Government proposes to reinstate the 2 year qualifying period for unfair dismissal, as it controversially was from 1982 - 1999. Then as before, an expectant increase in claims where no qualifying experience is required is highly likely".
Dr Hardy also reminded employers of the recent EAT decision in Cordell v FCO (2011) which reiterates that cost is a particular legitimate consideration in assessing reasonable adjustments, when such is disproportionate when balanced against the actual adjustment. Underhill P guided that eventhough the FCO could afford the lip-service support in excess of £250,000, it was disproportionate and therefore not discriminatory in declining to make the reasonable adjustment concerned.
For details of AG TV and to see the whole interview click here