header-logo header-logo

Constructive dismissal at the highest echelons of government

14457
With the civil service chief’s future in doubt and the government’s behaviour in the headlines, Amanda Robinson & David Wolchover reflect on recent allegations against the Home Secretary, and consider why resignation may sometimes be the only choice
In February 2020, Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office’s most senior civil servant resigned, sensationally announcing he would be pursuing a constructive dismissal claim against the Home Office. His resignation followed a flurry of bullying allegations made against Home Secretary Priti Patel. Sir Philip’s claim was lodged on 20 April 2020, which included a claim for ‘whistleblowing’.

Constructive dismissal defined

Constructive dismissal may be defined as misconduct by an employer against an employee in fundamental breach of the terms of employment which leaves the employee with little or no option but to resign from post. Claims for constructive dismissal are issued under s 95(1)(c), Employment Rights Act 1996. Employees who have faced bullying in the workplace would be entitled to resign and claim constructive dismissal where it has

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Mourant—Stephen Alexander

Mourant—Stephen Alexander

Jersey litigation lead appointed to global STEP Council

mfg Solicitors—nine trainees

mfg Solicitors—nine trainees

Firm invests in future talent with new training cohort

360 Law Group—Anthony Gahan

360 Law Group—Anthony Gahan

Investment banking veteran appointed as chairman to drive global growth

NEWS
Artificial intelligence may be revolutionising the law, but its misuse could wreck cases and careers, warns Clare Arthurs of Penningtons Manches Cooper in this week's NLJ
Bea Rossetto of the National Pro Bono Centre makes the case for ‘General Practice Pro Bono’—using core legal skills to deliver life-changing support, without the need for niche expertise—in this week's NLJ
Small law firms want to embrace technology but feel lost in a maze of jargon, costs and compliance fears, writes Aisling O’Connell of the Solicitors Regulation Authority in this week's NLJ
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve reports on Haynes v Thomson, the first judicial application of the Supreme Court’s For Women Scotland ruling in a discrimination claim, in this week's NLJ
The Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment in July that overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, once poster boys of the Libor and Euribor scandal. In NLJ this week, Neil Swift of Peters & Peters considers what the ruling means for financial law enforcement
back-to-top-scroll