Mark Ellis Blog

I think we people are like sheep. Too many just seem to follow the rest. Odd that, isn’t it, given that we are not sheep? Or lemmings for that matter? For example, the housing market was going from strength to strength. All was well. Demand was high and, as my uncle would say “they aren’t making any more […]

I have just had the pleasure of dealing with a few problems for clients regarding staff references. What a minefiled! I thought I would whinge (on my clients’ behalf) on this blog!

Let’s face it, many potential employees will tell you whatever you want to hear to get the job. What a waste of time, effort and […]

Face who? In case you don’t already know (I didn’t until recently!) Facebook is a “social networking” website. In plain English I think that means that it’s a place on the Internet where you go to talk to your friends, catch up with the latest gossip, make new friends, date, and share music, photos and […]

Is the law an ass? If so, what does that make lawyers? The reason that I ask is because the Employment Appeal Tribunal has just celebrated its 30th birthday and to mark the occasion Times Online trawled the archives and dusted off some of the more colourful UK employment disputes from the past few years! […]

If you have been following my blog you will recall that I suggested that, for the good of UK Plc, the government should abolish some unfair dismissal law and get rid of the tiresome statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures!At the time the suggestion caused quite a stir and the government responded by saying that it […]

“It would be funny if it wasn’t so painful,” said Tania Foster, 45, a farmer who damaged her Achilles tendon when she stumbled down an open drain at a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) event on Agricultural Safety near Chester.
Officials at the HSE said a risk assessment on the offending hole had been carried out […]

Well, my last posting (suggesting that, for the good of UK plc, some employment laws should be abolished) caused quite quite a stir! Personnel Today magazine picked up on it and reported that I have gained a “cult business following”! Blimey! Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing?
The magazine then […]

The new mantra of many politicians is “social responsibility”. Great. No doubt that will make for a more caring society.
Social responsibility can only be a good thing – but will it make for a happy and successful UK? That depends, I guess, on what makes UK plc and each of us feel happy and successful.
Call […]

Happy New Year and all that!
Most EW clients had a few days off over Christmas and so the office was reasonably quiet. Phew! However, the fun started quickly when most clients returned to work on 2 January.
You might be surprised (amused?) at some of the antics that go on at work Christmas parties up and down […]

Do you know what we do here at Ellis Whittam? Are you thinking about subscribing to a fixed fee employment law or health & safety service? This posting will give you an idea about what we do - and it is a useful “Buyers Guide” for fixed price employment law and health & safety services too…
Businesses of all […]