Lords' decision has "massive implications"

07/04/2008

The Lords' decision to support a part-time firefighter's claim to additional employment rights will have a significant effect on workplace law, his legal representative has claimed.

Richard Arthur, partner at Thompsons Solicitors, told employeebenefits.co.uk: "There are massive implications with the House of Lords' decision."

"It means that employers do not have to conduct individual analysis into part-time workers. If part-time workers' core duties are the same as [full-time] workers' then they will be eligible for the same benefits."

Mr Arthur represented the part-time firefighter in his claim for access to a pension scheme and the same sick pay (pro rata) as full-time colleagues.

The House of Lords had set out the right to equal treatment and the Croydon Employment Tribunal found that part-time workers were discriminated against.

Workers in legal jobs need an excellent understanding of the UK's complex legal system – this case lasted eight years and was originally dismissed, before the Lords ruled in its favour.

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