Are You World Cup Ready?
All England and Scotland fans and those from other nations, involved or not, will be eagerly awaiting the onset of ‘the greatest football show on earth’ and once again we have the quadrennial quandary – what do we do with those employees whose desire to watch the games impacts on their requirement to attend work? […]
Stress Awareness Month
Do you know that April 2026 is ‘Stress Awareness Month’? This campaign has been around for over 30 years with the purpose of increasing public awareness of the causes of and potential cures for stress. Stress continues to be a major issue in society today, with around 75% of people saying stress has made them […]
Employment Law HR Update: April 2026 Changes to Minimum Wage, SSP and Family Leave
April has brought a number of important Employment Law changes for employers, with updates affecting Minimum Wage, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), family leave, redundancy pay and recordkeeping requirements. As part of the wider reforms many employers will associate with the Employee Rights Bill agenda, these changes create new obligations and potential risks for businesses if they are not prepared. From payroll […]
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
The aim of the above new Act is to simplify data protection matters for organisations, whilst continuing to protect individuals and their rights. The DUAA makes changes to subject access request (SAR) obligations; and creates a new Information Commission (previously the ICO) powers and complaint-handling duties. Further guidance and codes of conduct are expected throughout […]
Employment Rights Bill – Update
The Employment Rights Bill is progressing towards the end of its passage through Parliament (the Lords Report stage starts on 14th July); and the Government has published its ‘roadmap’ for implementing its provisions. We summarise below some of the key issues on the horizon. Consultations The Government are going to consult on the following: Summer 2025 Autumn 2025 Consultation […]
Employment Rights Bill – New Legislation
Following the publication of the new Employment Rights Bill last year, we sent out an Information update in November 2024 detailing the headline reforms proposed by the Bill. As stressed at the time ‘this is not law yet! It is still going through the law-making machinery and is still subject to change. Fast forward 6 months […]
Forthcoming Family Friendly Legislation
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 will come into force on 6th April 2025, the Government has announced. The legislation is designed to support employees who have parental or a personal relationship (defined in the regulations) with a baby needing neonatal care. It goes without saying, that we genuinely hope that none of your employees […]
National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage and the Statutory Rates that take effect in April 2025
The National Living Wage Rate from 1stApril 2024 Rate from 1st April 2025 Approx increase Aged 21 and above £11.44 £12.21 6.7% The National Minimum Wage Rates Rate from 1stApril 2024 Rate from 1st April 2025 Approx. Increase 18-20 Year Old Rate £8.60 £10.00 16.3% 16-17 Year Old Rate £6.40 £7.55 18% Apprentice Rate £6.40 £7.55 […]
Snow Days Off: Paid or Unpaid?
Extreme winter weather conditions can cause problems resulting in difficulties for people getting to and from work. In addition, if schools close, parents who cannot make alternative arrangements need to remain at home to look after their children. So if an employee cannot attend work due to the wintry weather conditions, what is the situation? […]
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Earlier this year we circulated an Information Update advising of the implementation of new legislation amending the Equality Act 2010 in respect of sexual harassment in the workplace. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual […]