An interesting line up this week with a couple of TUPE questions and not one Covid question!
Tattoos at work
Q. I was wondering if you can help? can you be sacked or refused work for having a tattoo to cover up my scars on my arm? These scars are from a time when I was Ill with my mental health.
A. There is no specific employment protection relating to tattoos. Employers are free to impose policies and dress codes in respect of tattoos. Some employers, particularly with those who have customer facing roles may be reluctant to allow staff to show tattoos. Generally staff are asked to keep them covered.
There are circumstances where a dismissal or other detriment at work as the consequence of getting, or having a tattoo may be unlawful. Although having a tattoo is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, it may be that the tattoo have some religious significance and that can then be tied in with discrimination but way of religion. However, in your case, as the reason is to cover scars your employer would be free to take action against you.
Ideally, your employer should have a dress code or policy on tattoos, body piercings etc. and stick by it. If you are dismissed and another member of staff with tattoos isn’t then an employer would have to have good reason for making that decision in order to argue the dismissal was fair.
Holiday entitlement
Q. Hi I have just started for a new employer he has guys working for him on a self employed bases I am going to be on the cards what is the legal holiday I'm ment to get and what about bank Holidays he says I get paid them but comes out of my holiday entitlement . With my old boss I had 20 days plus 5 occasional days and payed bank Holidays. Would be grateful for any advice
A. The position is - You’re an employee and as such you are entitled to the statutory minimum holiday entitlement of 28 days. There is
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