New Powers for Govt to Take Employers to Tribunal
The Fair Work Agency (FWA), introduced in the March 2025 amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, has been given sweeping new enforcement powers. One of the most significant changes is its ability to take employers to an Employment Tribunal on behalf of workers who may be unwilling or unable to pursue a claim themselves. This […]
Amendments to Employment Rights Bill – March 2025
Following a round of consultations, the government has published its response, announcing a series of amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. Amendments to Employment Rights Bill The key changes to the Bill include: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Eligibility for SSP has been expanded to include approximately 1.3 million low-wage workers earning less […]
New Statutory Miscarriage Leave for Bereaved Parents
The UK government has confirmed that parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy will now be entitled to statutory bereavement leave of two weeks. The change will be brought in under the Employment Rights Bill, granting mothers and their partners the right to take two weeks of bereavement leave following pregnancy loss […]
Plans for Right to Disconnect Shelved
The UK government’s plans to introduce a legal “right to disconnect”—allowing workers to ignore work-related communications outside of office hours—appear to have been scrapped. Right to disconnect – status update The proposal was initially a key element of Sir Keir Starmer’s “New Deal for Working People,” aimed at strengthening employment rights and improving […]
New Regulations on Neonatal Care Leave & Pay Published
Regulations have now been published by the government supporting the introduction of neonatal care leave and pay in the workplace from 6 April 2025 under the new Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023. The Neonatal Care Leave and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2025 outline the eligibility criteria, notification requirements and entitlement details for employees taking neonatal […]
What Can Employers Expect in Employment Law in 2025?
2025 is expected to bring significant developments in UK employment law. With landmark reforms, increased statutory protections and evolving workplace expectations on the agenda, employers will need to be attune to these changes and be agile to adapt and comply. In general, the main trends and developments are being driven by the Labour government to […]
Latest Developments: Employment Rights Bill
The Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is currently making its way through the legislative process and has now reached the Committee Stage in the House of Commons. As the Bill progresses, it has most recently attracted criticism from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC), as we summarise below. A substantial Amendment Paper, spanning 53 pages, has also […]
Duty to Keep Christmas Parties Harassment-Free
Amidst the festive cheer of the Christmas party season, this year brings an added layer of responsibility for employers: the new duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, effective from 26 October 2024, places a legal duty on […]
Govt Unveils “Get Britain Working” White Paper
The UK government has unveiled its “Get Britain Working” White Paper, outlining comprehensive reforms to address economic inactivity and enhance employment opportunities across the economy. The initiatives, which are set to cost £240m, aim to raise the employment rate to 80% by integrating health, skills and employment support. This comes at a time when figures […]
Call for Evidence on Employment Rights Bill
The UK’s Business and Trade Committee (BTC) has initiated a call for evidence regarding the new Employment Rights Bill (ERB). The Bill is set to bring in the most significant reform and enhancement of workers’ rights in decades. The inquiry, entitled “Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill,” forms part of the government’s stakeholder engagement efforts, […]