European Court Says Employers Must Accommodate
Caregivers
July 21, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A landmark
European ruling effectively gives new rights to employees who
are caregivers to sick, disabled, and elderly
relatives.
The Yorkshire Post reports that the European Court
of Justice has declared that a directive banning
discrimination in the workplace on grounds of disability
not only applies to disabled people but also their
caregivers. The ruling could result in a huge extension
in flexible and part-time working arrangements, the news
report said.
The decision was made in the case of Sharon
Coleman, who alleged she suffered "discrimination by
association" after being denied time off to care for her
disabled son. Coleman claimed she was forced to leave her
job because she was not allowed as much flexibility as
other parents.
An employment tribunal hearing the case referred it
to the European Court for a ruling on whether European
Union discrimination laws covering disabled people could
also apply to someone who was associated with a disabled
person, according to the Yorkshire Post. Judges in
Luxembourg have previously ruled that EU law should
protect an employee who has suffered discrimination on
grounds of their child's disability.
The next hearing of Coleman's tribunal, to decide
if she suffered discrimination, is expected later this
year.
Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com