Legal


Be serious about sexual harassment


A Sutton-based HR support firm is warning businesses to take inappropriate behaviour in the workplace more seriously – or else run the risk of ending up in court. Sara Abbott of the HR Dept,


Walsall Road, Sutton Coldfield, said that cases of sexual harassment in the workplace often resulted in large payouts to the injured party. She said: “The highest sexual


harassment tribunal payout at £830,000 means it pays to take this seriously. “The tribunal saw an NHS HR manager win more than £800k having been harassed after rejecting the advances of the chairman, claiming constructive dismissal, sex discrimination and sexual harassment. “Sexual harassment complaints


can end up at an employment tribunal – in a recent case, a factory worker won £10,000 compensation after her boss wrote in her 40th birthday card that he wanted to grope her inappropriately. “Even more than the financial hit the reputational damage to a company can be more devastating, especially if the perpetrator has a history and is in a position of power. It is good to remember that no one is above the law and the dignity of all staff is paramount to a productive team.


“Sexual harassment can include:


• sexual comments or jokes, wrongly often explained as a bit of banter;


• physical behaviour, including unwelcome sexual advances, touching and various forms of sexual assault;


• displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature like girly calendars;


• sending emails with a sexual content.


“One person’s ‘bit of banter’ is


another person’s humiliation and a subsequent court case. “Business owners can protect


their staff from sexual harassment and their reputation by having clear and unequivocal bullying and harassment policies and processes. “They should make it extremely


and undeniably clear that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. That it will be dealt with swiftly and severely and, following an investigation, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if the allegations are


Sara Abbott: firms should take sexual harassment seriously


proven up to dismissal. “Having official equal opportunities and anti- harassment policies down in writing is a great start. But these can also be supported by staff training and regular reviews on the standards of behaviour expected.”


Clarke Willmott leads the way on Legal 500


Birmingham law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has been named in the latest Legal 500 guide which ranks the UK’s top lawyers and organisations. The Birmingham office of the


national firm was ranked as ‘recommended’ in seven of its practice areas – corporate and commercial, commercial litigation, insolvency and corporate recovery, personal injury, family, personal tax, trusts and probate and commercial property. Additionally, 17 lawyers from


Clarke Willmott’s Birmingham office were named as ‘recommended’ in the prestigious guide.


Clarke Willmott LLP chief


executive, Stephen Rosser said: “The Legal 500 is among the most prestigious industry guides and rankings are partly based on client feedback which is a great indication of the quality of our work and the services we provide. “The recognition reflects the


time we invest in developing relationships with our clients, our high level of service and our straightforward approach.” The Legal 500 series, now in its


30th year, is widely acknowledged as the world’s largest legal referral guide. It is an independent guide and firms and individuals are recommended purely on merit.


December 2017/January 2018 CHAMBERLINK 47


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Our solicitors aim to give you clear and concise advice, so that you are fully informed and you are able to make a decision about how you want your family law case to proceed.


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We will help you find the way


Jacobs Law Solicitors has a dedicated team of lawyers headed by Mr H. Bashir (Partner/Solicitor) who specialise in all aspects of Family Law.


Jacobs House • 180 Soho Hill • Birmingham • B19 1AG T: 0121 551 2189


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