Category: News

the latest news, comment and opinion from Concrew Training

 

5 steps to protect against AI cyber attacks

ICO Logo - the logo of the Information Commissoner's Office - Data Protection Training from Concrew Training

Protection against AI Cyber Attacks – Five practical steps, from the ICO, to help your organisation protect against AI threats.

The ICO say:

“Cyber criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out attacks that are faster, more advanced and harder to detect. From AI-generated phishing emails that impersonate trusted contacts, to automated tools that scan for and exploit software vulnerabilities, the threat landscape is evolving rapidly.

With this scale and sophistication, cyber security must be a shared responsibility across every part of the economy. As the data protection regulator, we can provide clear expectations and practical support, but all organisations must take proactive steps to prepare themselves for emerging threats.”

Find out more about these 5 practical steps on the ICO website

“if you get your t**s out I will buy drink”

Worker Protection Act Training - Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work

Mrs C Hotham and Miss S Penman v Acre Rigg Social Club Ltd

“if you get your t**s out I will buy drink”  – This Tribunal case illustrates why small employers need to do more to prevent sexual harassment at work.  

The defendant’s, 60 year old, manager said “no you’re on the sick” – “if you get your t**s out I will buy drink”.  In Mrs C Hotham and Miss S Penman v Acre Rigg Social Club the tribunal found the employers comment to have been “made in front of others” and that it “ it was crass, offensive and sexually explicit”

This was not an isolated one-off comment, but one that what appears to have been part of what could be a systemic failure by a small employer to prevent the bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at work of its employees.   

Over 4 years or stress and worry for all involved, close to £60,000 in fines, penalties and compensation awards for the employer.

All employers need to ensure they have robust policies and procedures in place, policies and procedures that are understood and adhered to by all.  In the event of incident employers need to respond promptly and investigate thoroughly.  Concrew Training’s courses on preventing sexual harassment at work help employers get it right

The tribunal held that the following claims succeeded

of the first claimant

  • a complaint of ordinary constructive unfair dismissal.
  • a complaint of discriminatory constructive dismissal.
  • complaint of disability-related harassment limited to the following allegations
    • at the end of February 2022 Mr R. falsely accused the first claimant of putting things on social media about her Multiple Sclerosis.
    • the respondent failed to address the treatment of the first claimant by Mr R’s family (which occurred on a number of occasions between December 2021 and March 2022) such as walking past and sniggering,
    • making comments, being snubbed – all of which worsened after she reported the JP incident.

of the second claimant

  • a complaint of discriminatory constructive unfair dismissal.
  • a complaint of sexual harassment limited to the following allegations: –
    • between late 30 December 2021 and early 31 December 2021 Mr R grabbed the second claimant by the arm and pulled her, shouting at her to get behind the bar and groped the second claimant’s bottom.
    • On 15 March 2022 Mr R referred to the second claim’s breasts.
    • on numerous occasions the second claimant’s breasts were commented on by Mr
    • on the date of Mr R’s sixtieth birthday party, referring to an image on her T-shirt, Mr R said that he wished it was his face on the second claims breasts, not simply a picture of his face

Read the full case history here

Guidance on AI – FOI requests

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NEW ICO guidance ON dealing with AI-generated FOI requests

New guidance from the ICO on dealing with AI-generated FOI requests.  The ICO have published new guidance to help public authorities confidently handle Freedom of Information requests that involve the use of artificial intelligence.  

Drivers behind the new guidance

  • The growing number of AI-generated requests is placing strain on authorities 
  • Some FOI requests misinterpret or misquote legislation 
  • This guidance from the ICO provides practical support to help organisations respond confidently and meet their legal duties 

More Information on the ICO website

The Importance of Sexual Harassment Investigation Training

Two council workers have won a harassment claim over a colleague exposing himself to them outside of work, there are many learning points from case law –  HR and senior leaders, the overarching one being HR teams, Sexual Harassment Investigators need robust training in investigating sexual harassment.

(more…)

Is TUPE effective – have your say

The Law Image by smlp.co.uk used under CC BY 2.0 CEED to Promote Legislation based training and CPD from Concrew Training.

The UK Government is seeking feedback and evidence to inform development of policy options to reform the TUPE Regulations.

They are asking for feedback  from all interested parties, including businesses, employees and employee representatives.

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) provide protections for employees that are moved between or within companies and other organisations. The TUPE Regulations also provide structure for businesses going through merger and acquisition processes for how to manage staff transfers. 

The evidence will help the Government: 

  • update their understanding of the prevalence of TUPE transfers
  • understand experiences with current TUPE processes
  • consider how to better ensure TUPE is easy to follow for businesses to support growth and create a better environment for businesses to expand, sell, or merge
  • consider how to strengthen the existing set of rights and protections for those subject to TUPE to create a more stable workforce during transitions
  • develop policy proposals for reform

Find out more and have your say at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/make-work-pay-transfer-of-undertakings-protection-of-employment-regulations

New Pay Gap Reporting Requirements

equality and diversity grafiti image

Following public consultation in 2025, The UK Government has announced that larger, (above 250 employees), employers need to report on ethnicity pay gaps and disability pay gaps.

This is in addition to existing requirements to report on CEO and gender pay gaps. 

More information HERE >>>