Political Correctness

As an employment law specialist, I am aware of the legislation and also the morale aspects of discrimination. As an individual, I am keen to ensure that terminology is correct and does not hurt people's feelings. I am used to drafting documents carefully and I know the problems that can arise from a casual word or phrase used in everyday life.

As 60 year old, I know how difficult it is to change culture. I still find it requires concentration not to use the word 'partner' as opposed to 'wife' or 'husband'.

However, on a recent New Year holiday to Scotland, I was amazed to hear an entertainer tell us that he was going to play a 'Happy Gordons' dance. It was, appartently, not 'pc' to use the conventional 'Gay Gordons' any more. I thought he couldn't be serious. However, the next evening another entertainer did the same thing. Is this potential discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or clanism?

More holidays

I notice that the DTI have published their proposals to increase the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days to 28 days. You will recall that the minimum is 20 days and some employers include the 8 bank holidays in that.
We are way behind some of our European friends although ahead of most American companies.
The changes will be a minimum of 24 days after 1st October 2007 and a minimum of 28 days after 1st October 2008.
I am sure this will impact on the costs of many companies.