Employment Law News
“Historic” IR35 reform comes into effect
The controversial reform concerning IR35, off-payroll working rules, has now come into effect. Here is what HR needs to know. The reform to off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, is likely to have a major impact on the way contractors are hired by...
UK at “real risk” of falling behind EU in terms of workers’ rights
The TUC has warned that the UK could be at "real risk" of losing ground, compared to the EU, when it comes to workers' rights. In light of Brexit and the changes which have occurred as a result, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging the Government to keep pace...
Equal Pay: Supreme Court rules shop-based staff are comparable to warehouse workers
After the case was taken to the Supreme Court, it has been ruled that the work undertaken by shop-based staff is of equal value to that of distribution centre employees. In a landmark ruling, it has been decided that retail workers who work on the shop-floor in Asda...
Artificial intelligence could cause a rise in discrimination in the workplace, warn TUC
Artificial intelligence, if left largely unchecked, could lead to a rise in unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace, a report by the TUC warns. The TUC has warned of the "huge gaps" that exist within British law currently which could lead to widespread...
Government pledges to review laws around whistleblowing
This comes after a fifth of employees who expressed concern over their employer's lack of compliance with COVID-19 regulations were ultimately dismissed. The Government have stated they will be reviewing reforms linked to whistleblowing to "ensure that they remain fit...
Care workers who complete “sleep-in” shifts not entitled for minimum wage whilst asleep
A ruling by the Supreme Court has stated that workers who undertake sleep-in shifts are only entitled to the National Minimum Wage when they are awake, carrying out activities linked to their job. In a landmark case last week, it was ruled that care workers who must...
Five things HR must legally provide for staff working from home
As COVID-19 has propelled the workforce into a remote setting, there are many legal considerations that HR must be aware of when it comes to staff working from home. With a specific responsibility regarding employee health and safety, including issues of wellbeing,...
Uber gives workers key employment rights including National Living Wage
After a landmark ruling which saw Uber drivers formally recognised as workers as opposed to self-employed individuals, the company have now given their staff key employment rights. Last month, a UK Supreme Court ruling declared that drivers working for the...
Employment tribunal cases rise by over 80 per cent
Multiple employment tribunal cases saw the largest increase, rising by 82 per cent over the last year. From October to December 2020, the number of employment tribunal cases sharply rose, following a well-documented trend of employment tribunal cases spiking in light...
Five employment law changes to look out for in April 2021
As April swiftly approaches, there are many changes to employment law anticipated to be introduced over the next month. Due to the attention being focussed on COVID-19, Brexit and the Budget, HR may need to be reminded of some key employment law changes. Kate Palmer,...
Employment Law Analysis
Simon Parsons: Better late than never – Getting your business ready for IR35
There have been a number of changes as a result of the pandemic that have impacted employment and the way businesses manage their teams. While the furlough scheme has now been extended, giving businesses additional support for the coming months, new regulations...
Monica Atwal: How businesses can continue to attract the best talent from abroad
Having vision and clarity and a HR strategy in such times is tricky as those critical elements are constantly changing to meet the current challenges. The pandemic has accelerated the business plans of organisations, rapidly moving to new ways of providing services...
Mukul Chawla: Modern slavery in the workplace
This article was co-written by Mukul Chawla (Partner), Catherine Turner (Senior Associate) and Luke Hardingham (Associate). Modern slavery is not going away. COVID-19 has shone light on how employers treat their workforce. The inevitable glut of labour resulting from...
Jeya Thiruchelvam: Key employment law changes and what they mean for HR professionals
The start of the New Year has seen the UK enter a third lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. HR professionals are once again dealing with the challenges of managing a remote workforce, processing furlough claims and looking after employees’ mental wellbeing....
Jennifer Liston-Smith: What can working parents, and their employers, do now?
Yesterday’s announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that schools in England will not fully re-open until at least 8th March will come as another blow to many working parents. That 8th March target itself is also contingent on the successful rollout of...
Dave Chaplin: How to take reasonable care when hiring contractors under the new IR35 rules
Following the introduction of the Off-Payroll legislation that is due to take effect from April 2021, hiring organisations have just a couple of months to get their hiring plans in order so that they can continue to take on contractors for projects with as little...
Claire Nilson: Remote working will shape the future but what about sponsor workers?
This article was co-authored by Claire Nilson, Counsel, and Hodon Anastasi, Associate, at Faegre Drinker. Before COVID-19, office workers were often geographically tied to their offices, and it was mainly business travellers and the lucky few digital nomads who...
Giles Newman: It’s time to change perceptions of whistleblowing
Listening to staff is a fundamental part of the human resources function. Only with clear communication will the business know if something is – or isn’t – working well. While this may seem obvious, recently-published data suggests European organisations are...
Shakeel Dad: What lessons can we take from 2020 to prepare for future HR challenges?
After a challenging year for the UK economy, it has never been more important for HR to be on top of the rapidly changing legal landscape. As 2020 draws to a close, we look at what themes and trends have emerged from employment law in 2020, upcoming changes in 2021...
Mini Setty: Regional race to secure sponsor licenses
Regional race to secure sponsor licenses For almost 70 years, British employers have had rich pickings from the European talent pool and foreign workers have made up vital proportion of the UK’s workforce, thanks to free movement among European Economic Area (EEA)...
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