News: Contract Law
ECJ ruling 'could create need for contract law training'
20 January 2009
A new ruling in the European court of justice (ECJ) could introduce a need for contract law training among managers dealing with employment issues.
It has held workers who are currently on long-term sick leave remain eligible for any holiday pay they accrue during this period.
The court's decision means if an employee returns to their position they may still take any holiday time they are owed, while if they leave they must still be given a lump-sum payment.
Its ruling states compensation is due for those who were unable to take time off due to illness.
Tim Marshall, the UK head of employment at DLA Piper, tells the Times this decision will impact on all employers within the European Union.
"Further constraints could prove too much for some businesses struggling to keep up with existing requirements," he warns.
In other news, recent recommendations by the Office of Fair Trading could lead to staff at ITV requiring contract law training.
The organisation suggested the contracts rights renewal restrictions placed on the broadcaster should be relaxed, which would change the way its agreements with advertisers functioned.
