HR PRIORITIES FOR 2025: Your To-Do List
As we step into the New Year, HR professionals are preparing their strategic priorities. To help guide your planning, we’ve outlined a recap of last year’s key legal changes…
TO POSTPONE OR NOT TO POSTPONE
In Kaler v Insights ESC Ltd [2024] EAT 195 the EAT held that an employment tribunal was entitled to refuse a request from an autistic litigant in person for the hearing to be postponed…
A FINE LINE
As of 20 January 2025, Tribunals will have the power to increase compensation in “fire and rehire” cases by up to 25%. The new powers, related to failing to adhere to…
IT'S ALL RELATIVE
In the case of Carozzi v University of Hertfordshire, the Employment Appeal Tribunal was invited to consider whether comments about an employee’s accent which are not motivated by race…
CHRISTMAS ‘DOS’ & DON’TS!
A key part of many of our festive plans will be the work Christmas ‘do’; a time to reward staff and acknowledge the year’s successes!However, without killing the festive vibe, it is important for management to spend time, pre-party…
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL: Committee Stage Amendments and Next Steps
The Employment Rights Bill has reached an important milestone at the committee stage in the House of Commons, with key amendments reshaping its provisions…
NO DEAL FOR BREXIT BELIEFS: Philosophical Protection Denied
A recent Employment Tribunal decision in Fairbanks v Change Grow Live has clarified that a belief in Brexit—support for the UK’s departure from the European Union—does not constitute a…
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL: IN DEPTH SERIES – TRADE UNION RIGHTS
The Employment Rights Bill, heralded as a landmark reform for the workplace, is set to bring significant changes to employment law in the UK. While much of the focus has been on…
RIGHTS AT THE RANK Not All Drivers Are on the Same Ride
In recent years, the gig economy has transformed the way services are delivered, from food delivery to ride-hailing apps. However, this shift has sparked significant legal debate about the…
DISABILITY MONTH
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3rd. The theme for this year is "Amplifying the leadership of persons…
PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Duty to take reasonable steps
As employers should already be aware, as of 26 October 2024, employers must take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their workers, including prevention…
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND?
Immigration pitfalls hidden in M&A transactions. As a specialist immigration solicitor with over 23 years of experience navigating the intricacies of UK immigration law, I have seen immigration law go from a niche…
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE - UPDATE
On 26 October 2024, a new section was inserted into the Equality Act as the Worker Protection Act 2023 came into force. The new Section 40A imposes a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to…
MODERN SLAVERY ACT
Modern Slavery Act: A Call for Reform and What UK Employers Should Expect. The UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015 was a pioneering piece of legislation aimed at tackling the issue of modern slavery, which continues to affect…
UK REAL LIVING WAGE INCREASE
UK Real Living Wage Increases to £12.60 – What Employers Need to Know. This month, the Living Wage Foundation announced an uplift to the UK Real Living Wage, increasing it to £12.60…
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL: IN DEPTH SERIES - ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS
Employment Rights Bill: In Depth Series – Zero Hours Contracts
The UK government’s newly published Employment Rights…
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL: IN DEPTH SERIES - COLLECTIVE CONSULTATION
Consultation is at the heart of any fair redundancy process. Where that redundancy process could see the dismissal of 20 or more employees ‘at one…
TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY
It’s time to have your say on the Employment Rights Bill. We have seen the initial headlines, and there has been much commentary and thought. However, it is time for you to put your thoughts to…
NEW EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL LANDS
The worst kept secret in employment law is out, the Government has now formally announced the publication of the Employment Rights Bill. After setting themselves the target of 100 days...
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
On 26 October, a new section will be inserted into the Equality Act as the Worker Protection Act 2023 comes into force. The new Section 40A imposes a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent...