The Lawdown Episode 46: Autistic Children’s Centre Worker Subjected to Derogatory Comments by Manager, and Employment Tribunal Rules that Sighing at a Colleague Could be Deemed Discriminatory
July 1st, 2025 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Senior Associate Yulia Fedorenko and Partners Emma Bartlett and Beth Hale discuss the following: An autistic worker at a children’s centre who was subject to derogatory comments by his boss in Wrexham, Wales. We discuss the nuances of protected characteristics, and the use of certain terminology and language in the workplace. The employment tribunal […]
The Lawdown Episode 45: University of Sussex fined for not upholding Freedom of Speech; Ben & Jerry’s CEO removed for promotion of political views; Citi Bank Assistant VP settles maternity discrimination claim
April 11th, 2025 by Neha Jannath
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Wonu Sanda, Emma Bartlett, and Beth Hale discuss the following: The treatment of a professor at the University of Sussex, after she was accused of transphobia and subsequently left the University; this dispute led to the University being issued a fine of £585,000 for failing to uphold Freedom of Speech. […]
The Lawdown Episode 44: Chelsea football player Sam Kerr found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment; Luis Rubiales convicted of sexual assault after Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup win; and the US driven rollback on DEI
March 17th, 2025 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Emma Bartlett, Sarah Chilton, Wonu Sanda and first-time contributor Liz Pearson discuss the following: Sam Kerr (a high profile Australian and Chelsea football player) being found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment. We dig deeper into the circumstances that led to the criminal prosecution and the context behind the headlines. We also consider whether Kerr’s […]
The Lawdown Episode 43: 200 Companies adopt a permanent 4-day week; Lord Rose claims working from home is not proper work; Marcus Rashford publicly criticised by manager; and can/should lawyers compete on the BBC’s hit show “The Traitors”?
February 10th, 2025 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Beth Hale and Emma Bartlett and Senior Associate Wonu Sanda discuss the following: 200 companies implement a permanent 4-day week and Tokyo’s 4-day working week plans to increase the fertility rate. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a 4-day week without a reduction in pay, including the potential impact on […]
The Lawdown Episode 42: Unemployed may get weight-loss jabs; BBC workplace culture review; Benjamin Mendy’s claim for £11.5M in unpaid wages
December 12th, 2024 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Beth Hale and Emma Bartlett and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: The suggestion by the Government to give overweight people weight-loss jabs to help them get back to work and the potential disability discrimination issues that may arise. The BBC’s commencement of an independent workplace culture review, with particular focus on the […]
The Lawdown Episode 41: Allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed; Huw Edwards repaying his salary; the “The Dad Shift” campaign to promote paternity leave
October 2nd, 2024 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Sarah Chilton and Beth Hale and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: The allegations of rape and sexual assault against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. We discuss how organisations should deal with a powerful personality, as well as the extent to which due diligence on a company before it is acquired can bring to […]
The Lawdown Episode 40: Jermaine Jenas’s BBC dismissal; far-right riots & considerations for employers; Starbucks CEO commute via private jet
September 5th, 2024 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Sarah Chilton and Beth Hale, Senior Associate Wonu Sanda and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: The dismissal of Jermaine Jenas following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which has been the latest in a string of scandals surrounding the BBC. We consider the speed with which the BBC took action to dismiss Jenas, the increase of […]
The Lawdown Episode 39: Gareth Southgate, Vaughan Gething and US President Biden’s departures – when is the right time to go; Strictly Come Dancing abuse allegations; Apple employee unfairly dismissed after taking pictures of a female colleague
July 26th, 2024 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partner Beth Hale, Senior Associate Wonu Sanda and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: 1. The departures of Gareth Southgate as manager of the England men’s national football team, Vaughan Gething as Welsh first minister and President Joe Biden dropping out of the US presidential race. We explore how to determine the right time […]
The Lawdown Episode 38: Scottie Scheffler’s arrest – key employment law takeaways; unfair dismissal claims from Virgin Atlantic employees; departure of Klopp and Hayes from Women’s Football Clubs; and publication of Inclusion at Work Panel report
July 4th, 2024 by Stuart Smith
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partners Beth Hale and Emma Bartlett, Senior Associate Wonu Sanda and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: Scottie Scheffler, the current number one ranked golfer in the world, was arrested and charged with assault of a police officer and three misdemeanours during the PGA Championship. All charges were later dropped. In light of this, we explore when […]
The Lawdown Episode 37: Cleaner dismissed for eating a leftover sandwich; Mason Greenwood’s rumoured return to Manchester United; Christian Horner’s misconduct investigation at Red Bull; and a sacked Council worker wins £4.6 million in a disability discrimination claim
April 4th, 2024 by Mitchell Blythe
In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partner Beth Hale, Partner Emma Bartlett and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following: A Cleaner was apparently dismissed by an employment agency, for eating a leftover sandwich which she believed would be discarded after a lawyer’s meeting at a city law firm. She has reportedly asserted claims for race discrimination and unfair […]