Parental leave and pay review: update
In June 2025, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) published its report, “Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental leave.” This report followed a December 2024 call for evidence and forms part of the WEC’s ‘Equality at work’ inquiry, aligning with the Labour Manifesto’s commitment to enhancing family-friendly rights. The report set out numerous recommendations to fix the “broken system” […]
UK Bank Holidays 2026/27
Last month, the Government published dates for UK Bank Holidays from now through to the end of 2027. You can access their list here. However, you will notice that if a holiday year runs between 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, there will be ten public bank holidays not the usual eight, as the table below illustrates. Holiday Year 1 April 2024 – […]
Fair pay agreement process in adult social care
One of the reforms in the Employment Rights Bill is the introduction of a Fair Pay Agreement in the adult social care sector. For this to be introduced, the Government must first conduct a public consultation, where on conclusion, the responses will be analysed and used to inform policy development. On 30 September, a new […]
Trade Union Reforms Expected Soon
According to the Government’s roadmap for delivering their Plan to Make Work Pay, the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) will be implemented in at least four phases, the first one being at or soon after the Bill receives Royal Assent. This means the first round of changes could come into effect as early as the end […]
New Digital ID Scheme Announced
Recently, the Prime Minister announced the launch of a new scheme aimed at tackling illegal working in the UK. The introduction of a new digital ID system will mean it becomes compulsory to hold a digital ID to be eligible for work in the UK. As a result, this will become a recognised form of […]
Sexual Harassment – when are employers responsible beyond the workplace?
Trigger warning: this article reports on a tribunal case that relates to the conduct of sexual harassment. Dare we say it – the festive season is fast approaching? For many employers, they will be starting to plan festive social events and so this month’s case report comes at a good time to remind employers of […]
Lidl sign legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to strengthen its sexual harassment protection in workplace
After a 2023 employment tribunal ruled that Lidl failed to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, the company signed a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last month. The agreement is a direct result of the ruling and requires Lidl to implement measures to better protect its employees by committing […]
Make Work Pay: How Will the SSP Reforms Impact Absenteeism?
Expected reforms to statutory sick pay (SSP) under the Employment Rights Bill are poised to be among the most significant. This is for two main reasons: the potential for increased costs to businesses, and the fact that these changes will most heavily impact small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up 99% of all businesses […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]