Proof of Freedom from Immigration Time Restrictions
When applying to naturalise as a British citizen, you will need to provide proof of freedom from immigration time restrictions. Before you can provide proof, you will first need to be sure of what exactly this means and what you will need to submit with your application. In this guide for applicants, we explain the […]
Legal Definition of a Woman is Based on Biological Sex: Employer Implications
The UK Supreme Court yesterday delivered a landmark ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, clarifying that under the Equality Act 2010, the terms “woman”, “man” and “sex” refer exclusively to biological sex. The ruling follows years of debate and legal uncertainty due to conflicting interpretations of whether “sex” in law should […]
Protected Period in Pregnancy: A Guide for UK Employers
Pregnancy and maternity are classed as one of nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. The protected period refers to the timeframe during which pregnant employees and new mothers are afforded enhanced legal protections against discrimination and unfair treatment under UK law. Treating an employee unfavourably because of pregnancy, maternity, or taking maternity leave […]
Dismissal for Sickness Absence: UK Employer Guide
When an employee remains on long-term sick leave, or has a recurring pattern of time off work due to illness, you may have grounds for lawful dismissal for sickness absence, provided specific criteria are met. Employers, however, should proceed with caution and take advice to avoid risking tribunal claims. By law, dismissal for sickness absence should […]
Reasonable Travelling Distance: Employer Guidelines
If your organisation is moving to a new location or you are asking an employee to transfer to another office or branch, a key consideration will be determining whether the distance the employee will have to travel to their new workplace is ‘reasonable’. Unfortunately, the rules on travelling distance for work are far from clear, […]
How to Write a Reference (UK) 2026: Format, Examples & Legal Tips
An employee in need of a reference may be moving on to a different job role for all sorts of reasons, for example, if they are relocating, due to other personal circumstances, or simply because they want a fresh start or they are looking to progress their career. However, whatever the reason, they will almost […]
Unpaid Leave: Guide for Employers
Unpaid leave is where an employee takes time off from their job without receiving their usual pay. Unlike statutory leave entitlements, such as annual leave or sick leave, unpaid leave is generally agreed between the employer and employee. Common reasons for unpaid leave include emergencies, caring responsibilities, extended travel, or personal commitments. For UK employers, […]
Employment Discrimination: Guide for UK Employers
Employment discrimination occurs when an individual is treated unfairly in the workplace due to protected characteristics such as age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or other attributes outlined in the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination can happen during recruitment, promotion, pay decisions, or everyday interactions at work. It includes direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and […]
Reasonable Adjustments: Employers’ Guide
Under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, employers have to make reasonable adjustments at work to ensure individuals with a qualifying disability are not significantly disadvantaged in performing their role when compared to other workers. In practice, there are many misconceptions about what reasonable adjustments are and when they must be provided, potentially exposing […]
Gaslighting at Work: How to Recognise & Address It
While the concept of ‘gaslighting at work’ is relatively modern in HR terminology, power struggles in the workplace are by no means new. In this guide, we examine what is meant by gaslighting at work, with common examples of gaslighting behaviours. We also explore how this type of unwanted conduct can be managed effectively and […]