Firms urged to tackle burnout and stress, Only a third of fathers are taking paternity leave, Whistleblowing cases on the rise in the UK

THE HOT STORY

Firms urged to tackle burnout and stress

The Observer ?

The demanding nature of the legal profession has led to a rise in cases of burnout, anxiety, and impostor syndrome, writes The Observer's Jane Croft. Technology has also blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, making lawyers available to clients around the clock. Among the challenges being faced by legal professionals are the focus on billable hours and the pressure to "make partner." Croft says a number of younger lawyers are questioning the long-hours culture and seeking better work-life balance. Some firms are offering wellness initiatives, but experts argue that tackling long hours and providing appropriate support is crucial. Elizabeth Rimmer, chief executive of LawCare, says the focus on mental health in the sector has increased significantly since the pandemic. She also notes that professional indemnity insurers are taking a greater interest in "people risk" as stressed staff are more likely to make a mistake at work.?

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Only a third of fathers are taking paternity leave, law firm says

The Times ?

Only about a third of fathers are taking up their paternity leave, according to the employment law firm GQLittler. This is a lower amount than ten years ago. Just 195,300 fathers took the benefit in 2023, a year in which there were 605,000 UK births. Statutory paternity pay (SPP) is capped at about ￡184 a week. Mark Callaghan from GQLittler observed that "At the current rates of SPP, taking time off is not an option for many men."

Whistleblowing cases on the rise in UK's employment tribunal system

Financial Times ?

A growing number of whistleblowing incidents are ending up in the employment tribunal system - but the increase in legal claims could point to failures in companies whose staff sound the alarm.

CASES

NHS body spent ￡100k on 'car crash' tribunal cases

BBC News ?

An NHS body severely criticised in an employment tribunal spent almost ￡100,000 on fighting the case and a related action. Documents were not disclosed and an attempt was made to remove the judge at the hearing involving the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB is facing more costs as it prepares for a hearing to decide on damages. It said it was "committed to managing and using public funds efficiently." The tribunal, sitting in Norwich, found the ICB's predecessor organisation had constructively dismissed an assistant director, Clive Rennie. The ICB had taken the decision to defend the case but when it came to court, the proceedings took a farcical turn. A draft investigation report was disclosed five days into the proceedings after the NHS initially denied its existence, despite the author sitting in court. The NHS human resources manager who had authored the draft investigation report into Mr Rennie's grievance, Steve Stavrinou, came in for particular criticism.

Boss's name gave warehouse worker the Willies

Daily Express ?

A warehouse worker told an employment tribunal that he was a victim of sexual harassment because his boss's name is "Willy." Ajmal Aylmer had told William McGinty he was offended by the abbreviation because it is "a term for penis" and "we have female employees here." Aylmer had been working for in-flight catering and inflight retail services company Dnata Catering UK’s Leeds site for two weeks when he filed his first complaint. The tribunal ?dismissed all of Aylmer’s claims. In May 2023, when he was on sick leave, Aylmer emailed McGinty and said: "Can you put your real name William McGinty on the time sheet and not 'Willy' a term for penis . . . We have female employees here . . . If you don't remove it and keep insisting on being called that - I considerate as sexual harassment." But Judge Deeley said: "The tribunal accepts Mr McGinty's evidence that his nickname is a common abbreviation and accepted his evidence that his father and grandfather use the same nickname."

Air stewardess loses discrimination case over mohican haircut

The Sun ?

An air stewardess has lost her discrimination case against Jet2 after being asked to change her Mohican haircut. Marion McKay claimed that the request breached the company's uniform policy and that she was being discriminated against because she is female. However, the Edinburgh employment tribunal dismissed her claims of sex discrimination and constructive dismissal. Judge Michelle Sutherland ruled in favour of Jet2, stating that McKay's haircut did not comply with the uniform policy.

WORKPLACE

Cost of staff sickness grew to ￡103bn in 2023

The Guardian ?

The hidden cost of rising workplace sickness in the UK has increased to over ￡100bn a year, and there has been a significant loss of productivity due to presenteeism, according to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The cost of staff sickness grew to ￡103bn in 2023.?The annual bill was ￡73bn in 2018. Most of the increase (￡25bn) was attributed to lower productivity. Employees now lose an average of 44 days of productivity due to working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018. The report highlights the negative impact of presenteeism on productivity and calls for a change in approach to protect workers and boost profits.?Dr Jamie O'Halloran, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, said: "Too often, UK workers are being pressured to work through sickness when that's not appropriate - harming their wellbeing and reducing?productivity." He added: "This can be because of a bad workplace culture, poor management, financial insecurity, or just weak understanding of long-term conditions among UK employers."

Economic inactivity due to ill health soars

Daily Mail ?

Official statistics show that economic inactivity due to long-term sickness has soared since the pandemic. Government estimates suggest that 2.8m people are currently off work ill. This is up by around 700,000 since before the Covid-19 outbreak. Office for National Statistics figures show that total economic inactivity in Britain now exceeds 9.5m, having been at around 8.4m before the pandemic. Nearly 30% of the total is attributed to long-term sickness, up from 25% before the coronavirus crisis. Of those economically inactive due to long-term illness, the most common primary or secondary cause is depression, bad nerves or anxiety. Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Mental health problems are driving much of the recent rise in inactivity and are concentrated among young people, who are now just as likely to be out of work due to long-term sickness as people in their 40s.”

Investigation finds toxic culture in fire brigades

The Guardian ?

Fire brigades across England have been found to have a toxic culture with instances of sexist, racist, and homophobic language, according to an investigation. The report highlighted that almost a quarter of brigades were involved in such behaviour, which was often excused as "old-school banter." The investigation also revealed allegations of bullying and a fear of reprisals for reporting inappropriate behaviour. The report recommended improvements in tackling misconduct and improving values and culture within the fire services. It also called for fair and transparent misconduct investigations, professional standards functions, and appropriate training and support for staff. The chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council welcomed the report and emphasized the need for sustainable funding for fire and rescue services.