HR Trends to Watch in 2025
As we step into 2025, businesses face new opportunities and challenges in managing their workforce. From emerging technologies to evolving workplace cultures, these are the key trends that HR professionals and business leaders need to prioritise this year: 1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI continues to reshape HR processes, helping businesses automate tasks, improve decision-making, and […]
Employment Law Changes Coming in 2025
2025 is shaping up to be a major year for employment law developments, with significant reforms expected under the proposed Employment Rights Bill. While details are still evolving, employers must start planning now to ensure compliance when the changes take effect. Key Reforms on the Horizon If passed, the Bill aims to enhance employment protections […]
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 […]
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 […]
Full changes to Flexible Working Confirmed!
For those of you who have been following this area of development closely, you will know that for a long time, we have only had confirmation that flexible working will become a day one right, despite when the legislation was passed, it would bring in several changes. However, on returning from the Easter break, it […]
Increase to fines for employing illegal workers
Mid last year, the Government passed draft legislation that will increase financial penalties for businesses that are found to be employing illegal workers. Under the draft ‘Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023’, it sets out that the fine will increase from £15,000 to £45,000 for the first breach. […]
Extended protection from redundancy – Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Currently, individuals on maternity leave, adoption leave, or shared parental leave should be given first refusal of any suitable alternative employment available if they have been put at risk of redundancy. New laws will extend this protection. The legislation is in draft form and subject to change, however key features are as follows: The protection […]
Dismissal and Re-Engagement Code of Practice
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published new best practice guidance on the practice of dismissal and reengagement. A consultation period has opened for a period of 12 weeks, in which it seeks views from employers, professional bodies and unions on the proposals set out within “Draft Code of Practice on […]
Gender Recognition Reform Bill
In December, the Scottish Parliament passed the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill for implementation within Scotland, however the UK Government has since blocked it from becoming legislation by making an order prohibiting it from being given Royal Assent. The UK Government believes that if it was to go ahead, then there would be implications on […]
Consultation to revoke COVID-19 vaccination legislation
Do you operate in the health and social care sector? Back on 31 January, Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced his belief that “it is no longer proportionate to require vaccination as a condition of deployment’” when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccination. As a result, the department for […]
The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Updated Regulations for 2022
COVID-19 mandatory vaccination regulations have now been introduced into the wider health and social care sector. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 were made on the 6 January 2022 and came into force on 7 January 2022. There is currently a grace period in place, giving […]