National Minimum and Living Wage Update 2025
This month, the Department for Business and Trade published a policy paper in which it sets out the areas of consideration for the Low Pay Commission (LPC), when determining recommended both National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) levels. We know that with the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill, the Government set […]
Parental leave and pay review: call for evidence
Earlier this month, the Government announced a formal review into parental leave and pay to understand how it could better support working families. They are calling for evidence to help consider the UK’s current system for leave and pay, which includes: Maternity leave and pay Paternity leave and pay Adoption leave and pay Shared parental […]
Gas Safety Week 8th–14th September 2025
Gas Safety Week 2025 is an annual event organised by the Gas Safety Register to raise awareness of gas safety issues and to keep everyone safe. The theme in 2025 is “Looking after your home, friends and family”, making people aware that everyone has a role to keep the nation ‘gas safe’—whether it’s your home […]
Timetable for public consultations announced
Timetable for public consultations announced Many of the reforms set out in the Employment Rights Bill will require either further legislation or the development of new/existing Codes of Practice. As such, a key stage in the implementation process is to consult on the detail of policy and implementation for the changes proposed. In the Government’s […]
What classifies an individual as a worker vs self-employed?
Overview The primary matter considered in this employment tribunal case was whether Bolt drivers were classed as self-employed or workers. The Employment Rights Act 1996, section 230(3) defines a worker as: “an individual who has entered into or works under a contract or any other contract whether express or implied and whether oral or in […]
How is AI impacting the UK labour market?
With AI becoming more prevalent in employment, we are starting to see the evidence of its impact on employment both in terms of people practices, but also on the UK labour market. Entry-Level Job Decline Since the Launch of ChatGPT In a recent study by recruitment firm Adzuna, their research found that the number of […]
Menopause in the workplace – Big changes coming for large employers
Earlier this month, the Government announced that from 2027, menopause action plans will be mandatory for organisations employing 250+ employees. Back in 2021, the Women and Equalities Committee looked at the extent to which discrimination connected to the menopause occurs in the workplace, and how government policy and workplace practices could be improved to support […]
Outdoor Workers and Sun Exposure
As we head into the summer months, rising temperatures and increased sun exposure can pose health risks to those working outdoors. Typical professions at risk include construction, agriculture, gardening, facilities teams, and outdoor service workers. Short-term exposure to heat and sun can lead to: Sunburn Dehydration Fatigue Heat exhaustion Heat stress The most serious effect […]
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 […]
Protecting your employees from harassment
Here is the Hot Topic for July 2024 – Protecting Employees from Harassment. An accompanying webinar will follow, which will be hosted on 11 July 2024. One of the most important responsibilities an employer has, is when it comes to protecting and safeguarding its workforce from harm and one area specifically is harassment in the […]
Prioritising Employee Wellbeing
Here is the Hot Topic for June 2024 and an accompanying webinar will follow, which will be hosted on 13 June 2024. Did you know, for 2022/23, the leading cause of work-related ill health was stress, depression and anxiety and resulted in 17.1 million working days lost. So, it goes without saying, that prioritising the […]
Five ways an employer can support employees with mental health and wellbeing
Mental health awareness week provides a welcomed opportunity to remind ourselves of the continued importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Employers are well positioned to provide and promote a mentally healthy environment, encourage people to access support early for a faster recovery and even stopping preventable issues. Employer duties toward mental […]
Fit Note Reform: Call for Evidence
Ahead of a full consultation, a call for evidence has been launched as part of a broader initiative to reform the fit note. Originally introduced in 2010 to replace the sick note, the fit note emphasised the benefits of returning to work and provided employers with essential information to support an earlier return to work. […]
Stress Awareness Month: Tackling Work-Related Stress
April marks Stress Awareness Month, and the Health and Safety Executive are encouraging employers to actively manage work-related stress and mental health issues. Impact of Work-Related Stress on Workforce Health During the recent announcement of the HSE’s annual statistics in November 2023, it was reported that out of 35.2 million working days lost in 2022/23, […]
Launch of the ‘keep thriving’ campaign
The British Safety Council has launched its ‘Keep Thriving’ Campaign aimed at improving employee wellbeing. This initiative encourages employers to proactively engage in enhancing their workplace environments. Objectives of the Keep Thriving Campaign As part of the ‘Keep Thriving’ campaign, the British Safety Council is asking employers to: Appoint an Executive Director responsible for wellbeing, […]
Is there a sick note culture in the UK?
On Friday 19 April, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced intentions to tackle, what he believes, to be a sick note culture in the UK. But is this an accurate reflection? The reality of sickness absence It is a topic of debate reflecting attitudes towards the legitimacy of sickness absence, but it shouldn’t be […]
Managing stress in the workplace
We conducted our annual SME Business Survey at the end of 2023 and asked what the most important aspects of Health and Safety over the next 12 months would be. Mental health came out top, with 68% of SME business leaders stating that mental health would be their biggest health and safety challenge in 2024, […]
How to Manage the Redundancy Process
The UK continues to face a persistent cost of living crisis, with rising inflation and increasing business costs putting significant pressure on companies. As a result, many businesses are facing tough decisions, including the need to make redundancies and downsize their workforce to remain financially viable in these challenging times. Make your business case It […]
Could a four-day working week be successful?
In June 2022, the world’s largest trial of a 4-day working week began with over 60 organisations worldwide taking part, involving around 3,000 UK employees. Its purpose was to determine whether working four days a week instead of the traditional five improved employee wellbeing and productivity. Firms taking part included office-based software developers, housing, food […]
Mental health set to be a major challenge for 85% of SMEs
We ran our annual SME Business Survey back in November and when asked what the most important aspects of Health and Safety over the next 12 months, mental health came out top. Of those surveyed, 85% of SME business leaders stated that mental health will be their biggest health and safety challenge in 2023, an […]