Employers warned as landmark ruling extends rights to carers

A leading North West law firm is warning employers to carefully consider employment practices which involve employees who act as carers, following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice. The ruling, in the case of Sharon Coleman, declared that an EU Directive banning employment discrimination on grounds of disability is not limited to people with disabilities themselves, but covers their carers as well. Mrs Coleman claimed she was forced to resign from her job because of her employers remarks about her disabled son and response to her occasional lateness because of his care needs. She said she suffered "discrimination by association" and this should be covered by the Directive – and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg agreed. Mace & Jones employment law partner Phil Allen said the verdict effectively gives... [read full story]