CAB and Voisin Law offer free Discrimination Law advice

Wednesday 01 July 2015

Local law firm Voisin and Jersey Citizens Advice have partnered to deliver a "thought-provoking" presentation at St Paul’s Centre on 16th July regarding the incoming Sex Discrimination Law.

This is the second in a series of free discrimination law presentations that they have delivered to the local community.

The first presentation looked at the law as a whole and was oversubscribed within days. This time, the experts will focus specifically on the topic of sex discrimination so the subject can be discussed in depth.

The new law will protect employees from discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity (including breastfeeding). The presentation has been created to highlight the need for further industry education and information ahead of these new protected characteristics under the Discrimination (Jersey) Law coming into force on 1^st September 2015.

The free lunch and learn event will begin at 12pm and finish at 2pm and will include two presentations, a Q&A session and then a light buffet lunch and refreshments.

At the presentation, Voisin Solicitor Dexter Flynn and Legal Assistant Stephanie Sanderson will discuss the complexities of the new law and how it will affect individuals and businesses. Malcolm Ferey, Chief Executive of Jersey Citizens Advice, will then provide real life examples to highlight how the new legislation will impact the lives of local people, both inside and outside of the employment situation. Individuals who would like to attend the presentation will need to confirm by emailing Emma Nicholson: EmmaNicholson@voisinlaw.com

Voisin and Citizens Advice expect the new law to be tested as soon as it is implemented by aggrieved people who have been waiting for such a law to protect them. Voisin regularly give legal advice on employment law and human resources legislation, and information about the new law can be obtained by contacting Voisin. Citizens Advice representatives are also available for advice at their offices at St Paul’s Gate and are able to offer a mediation service to mitigate the cost of personal conflicts, including discrimination claims.

Dexter Flynn, and English Solicitor at Voisin, said: "The introduction of the protected characteristics of sex, gender reassignment and sexual orientation represent a significant development in Jersey’s discrimination law. It is important that businesses and individuals are aware of the benefits and consequences of this ever expanding area of jurisprudence. Everyone needs to be alive to the impact of this legislation whether you agree with it or not."

Malcolm Ferey, CEO, Jersey Citizens Advice, said: "It’s fair to say that the original protected characteristic of race has been a ‘slow burner’ in terms of complaints and to some degree the legislation was deliberately designed that way, giving employers and those involved in delivering services very little to do in order to comply with the new law.

"However, the next tranche of legislation is due in September, 2015, with the protected characteristics of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, and pregnancy and maternity coming under the ambit of the law. I would suggest that this may present more of a culture change for some and so to reiterate what we advised before the original legislation was enacted, everyone is urged to review their policies and procedures well in advance of the day that the law comes into force."