TRIBUNAL APPLICATIONS ON THE UP WARNS DLA
RECENT employment law changes have seen the introduction of discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, sexual orientation and flexible working. And already cases in these new areas have started to hit the tribunals employers who been warned by the DLA.
More than 100 complaints were registered in the areas of new discrimination introduced in 2003 with flexible working disputes accounting for more than half of these.
"This is a completely new area of discrimination which has now been drawn into statute, employers need to be aware of the law and act accordingly especially as this is set to continue through changes to the Disability Discrimination Act later this year and age discrimination legislation in 2006," said Mark Leach, employment partner at DLA Liverpool.
"People are increasingly aware of their rights and not only in the workplace. In this atmosphere of heightened religious tension employers need to be particularly conscious of how employees are treating each other. An employer is responsible for all staff and their behaviour."
Tribunal applications overall are on the increase with the Employment Tribunals Service reporting a 17 per cent increase nationally, bringing the total to 115,042 in 2003-04.
However, tribunals should not be considered as a risk free process for
either party. Nearly one per cent of all cases had cost orders made,
where one party was ordered to pay the other party's legal costs.
- Hospital Trust awarded for exceptional A&E performance
SOUTHPORT and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has consistently seen 95 percent
of patients in and out of A&E within four hours or less. As a result we have been awarded £100,000 extra capital to develop services across the hospital.
This is the second stage of a financial incentive scheme, and the second award of £100,000 we have received. Every hospital trust in England delivering faster care for patients in A&E is able to access up to £500,000 in stages between March 2004 and March 2005.
Jayne Norbury, modern matron for A&E said: "We have been able to achieve this target by a combination of estimating expected patient numbers, improved admissions processes and investing in a 24-hour bed management system to monitor bed availability.
In addition to these improvements to our systems we have employed emergency nursing practitioners for minor injuries who 'see-and-treat' patients from start to finish, set up dedicated assessment beds within the observation ward and worked closely with our partners in the PCTs and local ambulance trusts."
Operational Standard From To Amount awarded
Average 94% or better 1 March 2004 31 March 2004 £100,000
Average 95% or better 1 April 2004 30 June 2004 £100,000
Average 96% or better 1 July 2004 30 September 2004 £100,000
Average 97% or better 1 October 2004 31 December 2004 £100,000
Average 98% or better 1 January 2005 31 March 2005 £100,000
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- Burglary
in Oxford Road, Southport
THIS week Merseyside Police are appealing for information about a burglary in Southport.
Between 1pm and 3pm on Thursday 22nd July a house on Oxford Road was broken into.
The offenders entered through a first floor bedroom window and stole a number of items.
The items stolen are described as being:-
8' tall Grandfather clock with the words JW Blaylock of Longtown on the face.
An ornate large carriage type antique clock.
An antique Venetian Urn. An oil painting of three kittens, Quantity of ladies and gents jewellery.
Anyone who witnessed the offenders or has any information about the items stolen is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
- KIDS PUT WORLD CULTURE IN SPOTLIGHT
THOUSANDS of children sampled the cultural delights of the world at Liverpool's Young Culture Festival in St George's Hall after a festival was held for children organized by Liverpool’s Young Culture Action Group.
The annual free festival gave explosion of colour with workshops and performances from local, national and international artists including the famous comedy workshop Rawhide.
The festival aims to provide young people with an opportunity to celebrate and experience the diverse cultures of Liverpool.
The LYC festival is one of 80 projects funded by the £2m led Liverpool city council Creative Community programme - the largest community arts scheme in the UK - to promote Liverpool's second themed Capital of Culture Year - Faith In One City.
Mike Storey, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "One of the major tasks we have as a city is to engage our young people and help teach them about culture around the world. The Liverpool Young Culture Festival is an ideal way for children to experience international cultures in a fun way."
- NETHERTON GROUP DELIVERS WARMING NEWS TO TOWN'S OVER-60S
OVER-60s will receive an especially warm welcome on August 9 when they attend a meeting of the St Oswald's Pensioners at St Oswald's Church Hall, Netherton after a surprising introduction by Powergen.
Staywarm a unique fixed cost electricity and gas scheme solely for the over-60s is giving local people the opportunity to find out more about the scheme.
The scheme guarantees that, as long as customers remain with Staywarm, the price they pay will be fixed for a year from when they sign up. Advisers also refer all customers who are eligible to the Warm Front scheme which provides grants of up to £2,500 for insulation and heating measures.
Adviser Steve Whatham said:- "We are delighted to be able to speak with members of the St Oswald's Pensioners. This is a valuable opportunity for us to explain how the service works and reach older people with vital information on the scheme and insulation grants for which they can apply."
Anyone in Merseyside with one member of the household aged over-60 may be eligible for the scheme. EMAIL
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