Important Employment Rights Bill update
As we prepare this month’s newsletter, the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is approaching the final stages of becoming law and is widely expected to be enacted as the Employment Rights Act 2025. Since our previous update, there has been a notable change to the proposed ‘Day 1’ protection from unfair dismissal. Rather than a complete […]
Navigating trade union reforms: A practical guide for all employers
The relationship between employers and trade unions is entering its most transformative phase since the 1980s, and, as an SME business owner, navigating the shifting landscape of industrial relations can feel daunting.
The end of fire and rehire? Navigating ‘restricted variations’
Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the practice of “fire and rehire” (dismissal and re-engagement) will become automatically unfair in almost all circumstances.
Probation in practice: What employers must do to stay compliant and avoid costly risks
Probationary periods will become an even more critical part of the employment lifecycle. Your probation clauses may effectively serve as your first line of defence if a role does not work out.
The New Unfair Dismissal Era: What Employers Must Know
For decades, the “two-year rule” has acted as a safety net for UK employers, providing a window to assess staff without the risk of an ordinary unfair dismissal claim. From 1 January 2027, that safety net will be removed.
Essential Adjustments for 2026
Your HR and Payroll teams face a critical time of change: the 2025 Autumn Budget and new reforms from the Employment Rights Bill. These statutory and fiscal mandates that focus on supporting the lowest paid will require employers to make significant adjustments to their cost base and compliance framework.
2026 Statutory Sick Pay: Is your business ready?
Set for April 2026, major Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reforms will extend eligibility to an estimated 1.3 million more employees. This significant change will inevitably raise employer costs and increase the administrative burden of absence management, particularly for SMEs, which make up 99% of all UK businesses and will face the heaviest financial impact.
New deal for working people: Planning for change
With major employment law changes ahead in 2026, this webinar explores key steps to help businesses plan for change.
Employment Rights Bill Latest – 5 September 2025
Parliament returned after its summer recess this week, and yesterday, 4 September, the Employment Rights Bill (the ERB) completed its progress through the House of Lords and returned to the House of Commons for consideration of the amendments that the House of Lords had agreed. This is the last step in the process before the […]
Department for Business and Trade Call for Evidence: Labour Market Enforcement Strategy
Earlier this year, the Department for Business and Trade launched a call for evidence in respect of the labour market enforcement strategy, and last month published their report: United Kingdom Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025 to 2026. This publication was presented to Parliament in July 2025 and is potentially the final strategy before the establishment […]
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 […]
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 […]
Employment Rights Bill update!
With Parliament now finished for the summer, it is likely to be September/October that the Employment Rights Bill is given Royal Assent. We already have a commitment from the Government as to what will be introduced and when, as described in their roadmap for delivering change (read our full article for further information and find […]
Managing the Christmas Period
With major employment law changes ahead in 2026, this webinar explores key steps to help businesses plan for change.
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 […]
‘Simpler Recycling’ in the Workplace in England
In England, as part of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ initiative which stems from the Environment Act 2021, all businesses and non-domestic premises — effective from 2025 — are required to separate their waste into four waste streams: food waste paper and card mixed recyclables (plastic, metal, glass) non-recyclables Deadlines for Compliance Micro-firms with fewer than 10 […]
Organisations fined more than £4m for unfair working practices when setting freelancer pay
In 2013, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is a non-ministerial department, was established with the purpose of promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. As an authority, it also plays a significant role in helping to determine if a proposed merger or acquisition could limit consumer choice. Freelancer Pay Investigation by the CMA […]
Employment Status & Rights: HMRC Research for Employers
HM Revenue and Customs commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out independent research on employment statuses from the perspective of employment rights. They surveyed 8,767 UK adults, aged 18 to 64, in May and June 2023 through online and telephone surveys and fieldwork. What Is Employment Status? In this context, a […]
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 […]