Employment Law News
Employee overtime saving employers billions in free labour
In workplaces across the country, employees are increasingly working overtime, often driven by workload pressures, looming deadlines, or the desire to excel in their careers. A new study conducted by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) sheds light on the pervasive practice...
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...
Employment Law Analysis
Adam Lambert & David von Hagen: Let’s go round again – The (re)introduction of employment tribunal fees
On 29 January 2024 the government published a consultation paper on the introduction of fees for Employment Tribunals (ET) and appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT), says Adam Lambert. The consultation period ends on 25 March 2024, and some have predicted...
Arran Heal: Be ready for the Worker Protection Act
The Worker Protection Act will become law this year, meaning employers have to demonstrate they have taken “reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees”, highlights Arran Heal. Vague wording provides some flexibility for common sense over cases and the...
Neville Henderson: Alternatives to zero-hours contracts for businesses
As the government is urged to ban zero hours contracts by the TUC (Trades Union Congress), Crown Workforce Management’s Flexible Working Consultant Neville Henderson says that a flexible approach can often benefit both the business and the employee. Here he gives some...
Naomi Greenwood: Tips from a top lawyer: What employers must do to combat sexual misconduct
A series of highly public scandals at large institutions such as the CBI and, more recently, McDonald’s have highlighted how important it is for employers to root out sexual misconduct and cultural misogyny before it becomes endemic in an organisation, says Naomi...
Kris Simpson: How can employers stay compliant with IR35?
IR35 (Inland Revenue 35/ Off Payroll Rules) was a game-changer for contractors and the companies they work for when it was brought in by the UK government more than 20 years ago, highlights Kris Simpson. Since then, the tax avoidance legislation has evolved at such a...
Steve Herbert: Amazon’s term-time only working contracts: Is this the new flexible?
Retail giant Amazon has recently announced the introduction of term-time-only working contracts, says Steve Herbert. Is this the next level for flexible working practices? Flexible working is a topic that has long dominated much of the media commentary around the...
Jo Keddie: What can we learn about redundancies from Twitter’s recent layoffs?
Following recent controversies such as the P&O Ferries affair earlier this year, and amidst increasing economic pressures and the Bank of England’s warning last week that we are facing the longest recession since records began, the news of significant layoffs at...
Ray Pathak: Data Privacy risks from the Great Resignation
Post-pandemic, the employment market is in a state of flux as people seek to progress or change careers, but The Great Resignation is having an unprecedented impact on the HR function in some unexpected ways, argues Ray Pathak. It is not just resulting in higher job...
Mark O’Hara: Right to Work checks are changing: what do you need to know?
Employers in the UK have a legal responsibility to do a right to work check on every employee. But managing the evolving guidelines on how these checks are done can be tricky for recruiters as the UK government works to balance making the system simple, while actively...
Tijen Ahmet: Right to work checks: What’s changed?
For employers with complex international hiring plans, seeking expert third-party advice on the changes to the Right to Work checking system is essential to ensure large financial penalties are avoided, argues Tijen Ahmet. From 6 April 2022, the Home Office brought in...
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