by Stephen Elliot

Sir Alan's approach would lead to a tribunal
We have all enjoyed The Apprentice over the past few months - particularly the weekly dispatching by the formidable Sir Alan Sugar of another hapless wannabe tycoon with the now immortal phrase "You're fired".

Take care in cases of sick leave dishonesty
Few employers will have missed the recent story of the two Northumberland County Council highways department employees who, while they were supposed to be on sick leave, turned up to lay a patio at the home of the council's leader.

Are your employees safe on the road?
A survey carried out by the Institute of Advanced Motorists back in February found that as many as 75 per cent of working drivers receive neither an assessment of their driving skills nor any training. Almost as many were not given any guidance on simple vehicle safety checks, with 64 per cent not even required to pass the basic eyesight test.

Is there an end to employment legislation?
IS the red tape really slackening? Since 1997, employers large and small have had to deal with an annual barrage of new employment legislation.

Roll up for the great holiday pay wrangle
On March 16, the European Court published its judgment in the latest "rolling up" case. The practice of rolling up holiday pay - in which the employer pays an enhancement to the employee's hourly rate of pay and then makes no payment during holiday absences themselves - has been controversial and, over the past few years, has been declared legal, illegal and then legal again by various courts. The European Court, which has the last word on such matters, has now confirmed the position.

Differences becoming increasinglyredundant
Since the prospect of age discrimination legislation first loomed, employers and their lawyers have been curious about how the calculation of redundancy payments would be affected.

Companies must plan for the ban on smoking
On Valentine's Day, Parliament voted to ban smoking in the workplace (apart, surprisingly, from the Palace of Westminster). The ban, which is due to be implemented in summer next year, has been hailed as a positive step by employers and employees, with TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber claiming it as a major victory for unions and crediting trade unions as being principally responsible for its introduction.

Tribulations of tribunals too much for some
Most people involved in employment tribunal proceedings - whether as a party, witness, advocate or observer - find the experience challenging to some degree. Some find it stressful, others exciting, others nerve-racking, while some find it downright terrifying. There are not many who find the experience boring to the point that it sends them to sleep.

Is it the last gasp for final salary pensions?
The recent decision by the Co-operative Group to close its final salary pension scheme, following the decision by Rentokil Initial to do likewise only a couple of weeks earlier, has proved to be an early New Year wake-up call for employees and trade unions alike.

Don't let the office party floor your career
Northumbria Police's recent "The Party's Over" campaign, clamping down on anti-social behaviour by drunken revellers, has been hailed a success - just as the office Christmas party season is upon us. The combination of free booze, over-excitement and finding out exactly what one's colleagues are like away from the office can have unforeseen and disastrous consequences. Christmas can be just as busy for employment lawyers as it is for their colleagues practising criminal and family law.

New Act changes meaning of 'disability'
ON December 5, a new Disability Discrimination Act comes into force.

Size does count in the jobs market
A recent online survey carried out by Personnel Today magazine has confirmed what overweight people have suspected for years - that it is a handicap in the jobs market and that personnel officers and recruitment agencies are, in general, more likely to offer employment to those of a "normal" weight.

Personality crisis that can lead to dismissal
On October 12, the Court of Appeal issued its judgement in the case of Perkin v St George's Healthcare NHS Trust.

The annual double whammy strikes
The business community routinely expects the Government to bring new employment laws into force on two occasions each year - April 1 (honestly) and October 1.

Employers should do more to tackle stress
A recent report produced on behalf of the British Occupational Health Research Foundation has concluded that employers do not do enough to support workers who develop mental health problems. The study also recommended that employers need to put in place policies and procedures aimed at dealing with workplace mental health problems.

Flexible working is a headache for firms
The "family-friendly" requirements of some recent employment legislation is, according to the CBI, starting to cause headaches for employers. Of particular concern is the right of working parents to ask their employers to work "flexibly" - a right that often gives rise to requests to be allowed to work part-time or other non-standard hours.

Sick of sicknotes?
Doctors' sicknotes have long been seen as a weak link in employment law, with many employers believing that harassed and overworked doctors routinely issue unjustified sicknotes to those asking for them.

What are the rules on employing children?
Now that we are well into the school summer holidays, it is likely that many employers - particularly those in retailing and manufacturing - will have been approached by schoolchildren looking to make a few pounds before they go back to class in September.

Draft rules on age are published at last
The DTI finally published its draft regulations outlawing age discrimination this month.