Blacklisting of trade unionists illegal under regulations

New Regulations (The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010) came into force this week, making the practice of blacklisting trade unionists – activists or members of a trade union – illegal wherever this has a purpose of discriminating against a trade unionist. New guidance on the regulations has also been published by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills.

Employers are still permitted to maintain lists of their staff, and this can include details of trade union membership or activity – details that can be necessary in many circumstances – but this must not be compiled, used, or shared for any purpose of discriminating against trade union activists.

More details about the practice of blacklisting, and what prompted these Regulations, can be found on the BBC news site.

Filed under: Discrimination, Laws & Regulations by Employment Law Clinic           Post created on: March 4th, 2010