Law at Work hot topics - July 2018

Acas gives guidance on suspensions

Acas has published new guidance for employers on when and how to consider suspending employees from work.

Suspension is only appropriate when there is:

• a serious allegation of misconduct
• a medical reason to suspend, or
• a workplace risk to an an employee who is pregnant or who has recently given birth.

Suspension should not be automatic in disciplinary matters.

Employers should consider alternatives before deciding to suspend an employee, such as changing the employee's workplace, hours, role or supervisor altered temporarily.

More than a million over 50s are losing out because of age-related workplace discrimination

The parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee has published a report on older people and employment. According to the report, both the government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission are failing to enforce laws against age discrimination.

The Committee points out that the changing job market means that all workers need to adapt. The government's current employer-led approach does not present a strong enough challenge to unlawful practices or attitudes, and the report recommends that:

• A new mentoring service should be developed for businesses which want to adapt but struggle to do so
• Recruitment agencies should collect data on where older workers are excluded and make recruitment processes fairer
• The government should introduce five days' paid carers leave and a longer period of unpaid carers leave if required
• All jobs should be advertised as being suitable for flexible working as a default position