Employment Law News
Employers unprepared for raft of legislative changes coming into force next month
As the clock ticks down to the implementation of a series of significant employment law reforms on 6th April, a substantial number of employers find themselves inadequately prepared, with over 20 percent of businesses admitting to being unready for the impending...
What are the key HR takeaways from the spring budget?
Yesterday, Chancellor Hunt announced his Spring Budget. He asserted that his policies would usher in an era of 'more jobs, more investment, and lower taxes.' The Conservative leader doubled down on his stance, contending that Labour's proposed plans could jeopardise...
85% of UK organisations report candidates failing background checks
A staggering 85 percent of employers across the United Kingdom are experiencing candidates failing background checks, according to a recent study by Zinc, a leading background check provider. This finding jumps to an even more concerning 97 percent among companies...
Unions rally against government’s bid to reinstate employment tribunal fees
Unions and workers' rights organisations in the UK are vehemently opposing the government's plans to reintroduce fees for employment tribunals, warning that such a move could foster worker exploitation. A coalition of 48 entities, including prominent names like the...
Firms warned: Support menopausal workers or face legal consequences
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued guidance emphasising that menopause symptoms can be deemed a disability, placing the onus on employers to make "reasonable adjustments" or face potential legal action. The guidance from EHRC comes in response...
John Lewis warns of disciplinary action over ‘unacceptable comments’
John Lewis, the renowned retail giant, has issued a stern warning to its staff regarding "unacceptable comments" on its internal intranet as the company contemplates slashing 11,000 jobs to recover from £230 million in losses. The internal memo, seen by The Daily...
Landmark victory at employment tribunal for professor dismissd over Israel comments
An employment tribunal has declared that Professor David Miller, a former University of Bristol academic, was unfairly and wrongfully dismissed in October 2021 due to discrimination based on his anti-Zionist beliefs. The decision marks a historic moment, establishing...
Employment tribunal fees “put a hurdle in front of workers seeking justice”
In a press release issued on Monday, the TUC highlighted its concerns, asserting that such fees would place a significant obstacle in the path of workers seeking justice for issues like discrimination, unfair dismissal, or withheld wages. The union body expressed...
HMRC admits defeat in 10-year IR35 battle with loose women star Kaye Adams
HMRC has decided not to appeal the decade-long IR35 case involving renowned Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams, marking the end of a protracted legal battle. The revelation comes after Adams' successful appeal in November 2023 against the Court of Appeal's ruling, which...
Amazon fined millions for ‘excessive’ worker surveillance
Amazon is facing a hefty €32m (£27m) fine in France for what the country's data watchdog, CNIL, deems as "excessive" surveillance of its workers. The fine follows an investigation into Amazon France Logistique, responsible for managing the company's warehouses, where...
Employment Law Analysis
Debbie Coyne: Don’t ban relationships at work
With Valentine’s Day upon us, writes employment lawyer Debbie Coyne,we should acknowledge that it’s common for people to meet their partners at work, and that personal relationships between staff are somewhat inevitable. With that in mind, developing a ‘Relationships...
Zahra Mahmood: Managing sexual harassment at work
Many employers are not aware that a claim for sexual harassment can be brought against the company as well as the individual accused of sexual harassment, writes Zahra Mahmood, this is irrespective of whether this has happened with the employer's knowledge. The...
Emma Clark: Will workplaces make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory in 2022?
Most employers are aware that they face potential claims of unfair dismissal from employees with over 2 years’ service, if they dismiss them because they are not vaccinated, writes Emma Clark. Potentially some employees may argue their dismissal (or any disciplinary...
Darren Hockley: This is how organisations tackle the gender pay gap
This year, Equal Pay Day fell on 18th November 2021, two days earlier than last year – but what does this really mean, asks Darren Hockley, Managing Director of DeltaNet International. It highlights the day in the year where women effectively, on average, stop earning...
Kimberley Barrett-St.Vall: Mandatory vaccinations – the employment challenge beyond carers
From 11th November 2021, anyone who works inside a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered care home, which provide accommodation and nursing or personal care, in England must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are medically exempt. This step that has...
Jenna Ide: Government consultation on flexible working
The government’s current consultation entitled “Making flexible working the default” (due to close on 1 December) sets out five proposals for reshaping the existing regulatory framework. The intention is to better support not only employees to start the conversation...
Zahra Mahmood: Sexual harassment claims and NDAs in the era of Me Too
As specialist employment lawyers, it is fair to say we have seen our fair share of truly shocking sexual harassment cases land on our desks. There is much case law on sexual harassment and sex discrimination and one of the most notable sexual harassment cases which...
Patrick Byrne: Redundancy and the end of the furlough scheme
Redundancy furlough scheme considerations for employers The clock on the Government's furlough scheme is ticking. The scheme, which has been a crucial lifeline to millions of businesses up and down the country during the pandemic, is now entering its final stages. The...
Laura Darnley: Visa solutions for the current candidate shortage
In July, the government released its 'UK Innovation Strategy', setting out the plans to make the UK a world-leader in technology, innovation and research by 2035. Crucially, the plan to situate tech, innovation and research at the centre of the UK’s economy will...
Nick Le Riche: Labour’s plans to create a single status of “worker”
Introduction At the end of last month, Labour announced proposals to extend a number of key employment rights and protections, such as statutory sick pay, national minimum wage entitlement, holiday pay, paid parental leave and protection from unfair dismissal to all...
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