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ARTICLE · 23 DECEMBER 2005

Changes to Employment Law in 2005

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As is our tradition at this time of year, this month we are looking back on some of the bigger developments in the employment arena over the last 12 months.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
James Libson
James Libson
Joanna Blackburn
Joanna Blackburn

As is our tradition at this time of year, this month we are looking back on some of the bigger developments in the employment arena over the last 12 months.

All change in discrimination laws

Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act came into force on 1 October and included new definitions of indirect sex discrimination and harassment, both of which are likely to make it easier to bring claims under these headings. There is now also extended protection for employees working for British employers abroad.

The Disability Discrimination Act has also been amended, with the changes coming into force on 5 December. It is now no longer necessary to show that a mental impairment is a clinically well-recognised illness to qualify as a disability. This is expected to make it easier to bring disability discrimination claims for psychiatric illnesses (though the employee must still show that the impairment has a substantial and long-term effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day

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