A case is being brought in France by a former employee of a perfume company, but the reasons for his dismissal may smell a little suspicious. I was invited to comment on the story and its potential implications for the Independent On Line, and expand on those comments here. Mr Desnard has alleged that he was sidelined from … Continue reading
Author Archives: kevinpoulter
Brexit would hit British hospitality and farm workers hardest
According to new research(£) carried out for the Financial Times by Oxford University’s Migration Observatory, more than three-quarters of EU citizens currently working in certain industries and sectors in the UK under free movement provisions would not meet the current visa requirements post Brexit. Although there are still many unknowns and the law would be likely … Continue reading
Trending now: the Hashtag Trademark
According to recent reports in the Wall Street Journal, 1,398 hashtag trademark applications were filed globally in 2015, compared with only 7 in 2010 and 103 in 2014. Although only around half of applications are currently being approved, the statistics are suggestive that hashtags are a valued commodity that warrant protection where social media dominates … Continue reading
Did Balls turn Twitter bitter?
On 28 April 2011, Twitter newbie and then Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls announced his arrival on the social media platform by declaring himself: Ed Balls. Since then (and despite losing his elected position in 2015), 28 April is forever to be remembered as ‘Ed Balls Day’. Aside from the suggestions it has already become commercialised … Continue reading
What will Brexit mean for employment law?
At a recent Brexit debate, hosted by Sage, no one amongst the audience of business leaders could think of any EU regulation that was negatively impacting on their organisation at that time. Despite this, there seems to be an underlying belief amongst those in favour of Brexit that the UK’s membership of the European Union … Continue reading
Celebrity injunction: In the digital age, will we see a civil court with worldwide jurisdiction?
If you’re reading this, I am pretty sure you will already know the real identity of PJS and YMA – the pseudonyms of a well-known celebrity married couple – who have been fighting since January to keep their names out of the British press. But in 2016, when the internet and social media drive and dominate the news and … Continue reading
Social media podcast – Five Keys To Developing And Implementing A Social Media Policy
Once again, I joined Krisha De to discuss some recent social media and law stories from the news. This month’s focus was social media policies. The five key points to consider when preparing or reviewing a social media policy are: The importance of having a social media policy Make sure the policy is relevant to your organisation … Continue reading
Does tweeting brother of Masters champion need schooling in social media misconduct?
He may have trended worldwide and have been labelled an overnight ‘Twitter champ’, but could Danny Willett’s school teacher brother, Peter (PJ), be disciplined for his entertaining online commentary? Whilst his brother was winning the Masters, becoming the first European champion in 17 years, PJ was live-tweeting reactions from his living room in Sheffield. As … Continue reading
Primary school teaching assistant sacked for ‘inappropriate’ Facebook underwear photos
When sharing photos of yourself on social media, how inappropriate must they be to have your employment terminated? Even though Gemma Laird had photos from a lingerie photo shoot on her private Facebook profile, the very fact of their existence seems to have been enough for the school to dismiss her. But the story has once again sparked … Continue reading
Apple Privacy Debate: is the saga now over?
The latest development in the Apple phone privacy saga may have come as a surprise to many. I joined TRT World to discuss what’s occurred and what is still to come. Despite the US Justice Department postponing a hearing last week – citing news that they ‘may’ be able to use a third party to … Continue reading