Welcome to Legal Bites: legal news that impacts your business
Hello,
This month, we look at the launch of a new advice line to assist SMEs in their preparation for the impending General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force in May, as well as how Howat Avraam can help your business become GDPR compliant.
Niki Avraam warns employers that perceived disability discrimination claims are now permissible, following the case of Chief Constable of Norfolk v Coffey UKEAT/0260/16.
Finally, the second part of our seminar on Employee Misuse of Internet and Emails is now available on YouTube - watch it here.
Matthew Howat & Niki Avraam
FoundingPartners | Howat Avraam LLP
Did you know… HA can help you become GDPR compliant?
Following on from our blog post on the ICO advice line and with the implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation looming ever closer, we are offering a practical helping hand with your GDPR preparations. Some of the specific areas we can help with include:
- updating your internal and external data protection and privacy policies;
- updating your standard terms & conditions to include GDPR compliant provisions;
- preparing data processing notices for employees, consultants and subcontractors; and
- providing templates for creating and maintaining GDPR compliant data processing records going forward.
One of the key principles under the new regime is accountability, so having these policies and records in place will be essential in order to demonstrate compliance and to reduce the level of risk for businesses. If you’d like help with any of the above or would like to discuss any other aspect of the GDPR, please do not hesitate to contact our Corporate & Commercial Partner, Rebecca Gardner on 020 3735 6700.
GDPR update – new advice line and resources tailored for SMEs made available by the ICO in preparation for the GDPR
In November 2017, the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) launched a new advice line with the sole purpose of assisting SMEs in their preparations for the implementation of the GDPR. The GDPR will become directly applicable in all EU member states with effect from 25 May 2018 and there have been growing concerns about the disproportionate cost to smaller businesses of complying in full with the comprehensive new regime. The launch of the...
Perceived disability discrimination: employers beware
The issue of perceived disability has, for the first time, been directly addressed by the tribunal. In the case of Chief Constable of Norfolk v Coffey UKEAT/0260/16, the employer rejected the claimant’s job application as it perceived that the claimant had a progressive condition. Mrs Coffey was a police constable in Wiltshire and had some hearing loss that placed her just outside national standards for hearing loss for the police. However, following...