P&O Ferries Redundancy Case: What Went Wrong and Lessons for Employers on UK Employment Law

In this article, we examine the actions of P&O Ferries, which led to public outcry at the time, and consider what they should have done instead in line with UK employment law. P&O Ferries became a case study on how not to manage redundancy dismissals, following the way in which they dismissed 786 employees back in […]
HR Knowledge Manager, Victoria Templeton, Celebrates 5 Years of Service

We are proud to celebrate the fifth work anniversary of our HR Knowledge Manager, Victoria Templeton, who has been an integral part of our team since September 2019. Starting as an HR advisor, Victoria’s dedication and expertise quickly saw her promoted to HR Knowledge Manager, a role in which she continues to excel. With over […]
Employment Rights Bill 2024: Advice for SMEs and HR Professionals

Just 24 hours after the Employment Rights Bill 2024 was published, here’s our expert advice for SMEs and HR professionals. First of all, even though the scale of the employment reforms are, in our opinion, the largest we have seen in decades, it is a huge relief that the majority of reforms are coming into […]
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management (Online)

This popular course identifies the types of difficult conversations managers may face and explores constructive tools and techniques to deal with common management challenges. Through discussions and activities, we identify what makes a conversation difficult, how to address it and increase the chances of a positive outcome.
Sexual Harassment – Complying with the New Statutory Duty

This popular course identifies the types of difficult conversations managers may face and explores constructive tools and techniques to deal with common management challenges. Through discussions and activities, we identify what makes a conversation difficult, how to address it and increase the chances of a positive outcome.
The Employment Rights Bill 2024: Zero-Hour Contracts, Day-One Rights, and the End of Fire and Rehire

Today (Thursday, 10 October), the Employment Rights Bill 2024 has been introduced, marking the most significant reform in employment law in decades. The primary aim of this bill is to legislate enhanced employment rights and ban exploitative practices. The Employment Rights Bill 2024 seeks to end exploitative zero-hour contracts and fire-and-rehire practices. It will give […]
50 Years of the Health and Safety at Work Act

2024 is the 50th year of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSAWA). It is the principle piece of legislation for occupational health and safety in Great Britain and operates alongside other health and safety Acts of law. It was introduced following Lord Robens commissioned report into safety and health at work which […]
Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal Fees Set to Be Introduced in November 2024

The UK Government is expected to implement a fee structure for claims submitted to the Employment Tribunal (ET) and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) starting in November 2024. These changes are designed to ensure that the system remains affordable, proportionate, and simple for all users while addressing the need for financial sustainability within the tribunal system. […]
Upcoming Legislation – Key Changes Employers Need to Know

A series of significant legislative changes are set to reshape the employment landscape for businesses across the UK. From tipping policies to sexual harassment responsibilities and pension age increases, this upcoming legislation will have a widespread impact on employers and employees alike. It’s crucial for businesses to stay informed and proactive to ensure compliance and […]
Bullying and harassment at work

Conflict resolution is a topical issue in HR. Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) highlighted a disconnect between the employer’s perception of successful conflict resolution (namely grievance issues) and the employee’s perspective which falls short of this. The report analyses data from both employers and employees to evaluate the prevalence of […]
Labour’s Employment Law Plans: Only 38% of employers have started planning for the upcoming changes

In our recent webinar, now available on demand, we discussed the employment landscape post the General Election, including the new Employment Rights Bill and its significant implications for employers. We also explored Labour’s employment law plans for this parliamentary year and the 5-year term in Government. It’s clear that the promised changes have the potential […]
GAS SAFETY WEEK 2024 | Workplace Gas Safety Guidelines

Gas-related hazards can lead to fires, explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning, and significant financial losses. To safeguard employees, customers, and business assets, it is crucial to understand and implement robust workplace gas safety measures. Now is the right time to review and reinforce your workplace gas safety practices. This article provides essential guidelines to help businesses […]
Labour Government Employment Changes 2024

Introduction In this Hot Topic, we consider the impact of the recent General Election, on the employment landscape and what it will mean for business owners and HR practitioners. We explore: The new parliamentary Bills that are to be introduced impacting employment Our recommendations for how businesses can prepare for these changes Legislation that has […]
Pros and Cons of a Four-Day Work Week For Your Business

As companies across the globe explore innovative approaches to enhance employee well-being and business performance, the concept of a four-day work week has gained considerable attention. This approach has been tested in various pilots and trials, yielding positive outcomes such as improved employee retention, better mental health, and even increased revenues. Many organisations that participated […]
Upcoming Employment Legislation: What Employers Need to Prepare For

Over the next few years, significant employment legislation will come into effect, impacting various aspects of the workplace. Employers must stay informed about these changes to ensure compliance and adapt their policies accordingly. Below is an overview of the upcoming employment legislation, their commencement dates, and what they mean for employers and employees. Legislation by […]
Key Employment Bills Announced in the 2024/25 King’s Speech

On 17th July, the Government outlined its priorities for 2024/25 in the King’s Speech, including several key Employment Bills 2024/25 that could significantly impact the workplace. Among the various Employment Bills 2024/25 proposed, four stand out for their potential influence on employment law: The Children’s Wellbeing Bill Whilst this is not purely an employment Bill, […]
Update to the dismissal and re-engagement code of practice

On 18th July, a new statutory Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement came into effect across England, Scotland, and Wales. This code introduces specific procedures that employers must follow when considering the dismissal and re-engagement of employees—a practice commonly known as ‘fire and rehire’. The Code emphasises that this approach should be used only […]
Top 5 Reasons Why Businesses Are Turning to HR Outsourcing in 2025

Why Businesses are Turning to HR Outsourcing has become a significant focus in 2024, with 39% of SMEs planning to outsource HR this year, according to our 2024 SME Business Report. We expect this trend to grow as we face further developments in employment law later in 2024 and into 2025. With a newly elected […]
Flexible working shown to boost morale and wellbeing

In a comprehensive two-year study conducted by Timewise and the Institute for Employment Studies, with funding from Impact on Urban Health, the effects of increased flexibility on frontline and site-based roles were meticulously analysed. This research project, named Flex For All, aimed to explore how providing more input and control over working patterns could influence […]
Prepare for the 2024/25 Government Policy Changes: 5 Key Steps for Employers

Following the King’s speech on 17 July 2024, we now have a clearer idea of the Government’s priorities for 2024/25. Significant changes are expected, although details are still to be published. Given the potential impact, we advise employers to start preparing for the 2024/25 Government Policy Changes now to ensure their business is ready. Here […]