Ciara O'Kennedy is a Partner in the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Employment Law Team.
Ciara advises on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, with significant experience in resolving complex disputes involving the removal of senior executives and employee shareholders, to include providing strategic advice on managing the commercial, legal and reputational risks of implementing senior executive terminations, negotiating and drafting severance packages.
Ciara advises on all legal issues arising out of the employment relationship from recruitment to termination, to include preparing employment contracts, advising on TUPE issues, disciplinary matters, unfair dismissals and employment injunctions, together with partnering with clients to provide tailored training workshops and assisting with the implementation and roll out of employment policies. Ciara is a regular speaker at employment events and contributes articles to various publications on employment law issues.
EU Head Scarf Ruling - Thin Veil of Protection for Employers Who Ban Religious Symbols in the Workplace
In the first case of its kind, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that employers can ban employees from wearing visible political, philosophical or religious symbols while at work. The ECJ held that an employer can prohibit an employee from wearing a religious head scarf if to do so is in breach of the employer's dress code, provided such dress code applies equally to all employees.
This case involved an employee, Ms Samira Achbita, who worked as a receptionist for G4S Security Company who began wearing a head scarf to work. The Company had at that time implemented a
Continue reading
We help hundreds of people like you understand how the latest changes in employment law impact your business.
Please log in to view the full article.
What you'll get:
- Help understand the ramifications of each important case from NI, GB and Europe
- Ensure your organisation's policies and procedures are fully compliant with NI law
- 24/7 access to all the content in the Legal Island Vault for research case law and HR issues
- Receive free preliminary advice on workplace issues from the employment team
Already a subscriber? Log in now or start a free trial