Our employment law update for April covers the Supreme Court decision the correct definition of “sex” and “woman” in the Equality Act and a Court of Appeal decision providing guidelines on gross misconduct dismissals....more
The UK government tabled large volume of amendments to the Employment Rights Bill throughout March 2025. Given the Bill’s significance, this LawFlash highlights some of the key changes under the Bill as it stands as of...more
In this month’s instalment, our team summarises the latest UK case law and developments in employment law – and their implications for employers. 1. The Government has published the new annual statutory rates which apply to...more
The Employment Rights Bill has undergone significant amendments in March 2025 as it progresses through Parliament. Included in the amended bill are changes addressing redundancy and the controversial practice of “fire and...more
This week we look at a case that covers the issue of what constitutes proper lawful consultation in smaller scale redundancies (fewer than 20). In particular, the case looks at whether there a need for group consultation, and...more
The Court of Appeal in England and Wales has decided that employers do not have to conduct general workforce consultation for an individual redundancy dismissal to be fair. It overturns the EAT decision in De Bank Haycocks v...more
The new Labour government has set out its plans for reforming the labour market in its Employment Rights Bill just within the first one hundred days in office. This volume of change was initially set out in the Labour...more
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held in Valimulla v. Al-Khair Foundation [2023] that an individual was unfairly dismissed because his employer failed to consult him on his placement in a redundancy selection pool of...more
Our June update includes a new gender critical philosophical belief case exploring some new areas (such as the nature of the workplace), a case on redaction of disclosure documents and whether the redacted material was...more
This morning Labour launched its election Manifesto which, by implementing its “Plan To Make Work Pay” published last month, includes major employment law reform. The Plan, now supported by today’s Manifesto, is clear that...more
Our March update includes a case on whether a theatre and agency could dismiss an actor playing a lesbian role because of her devout Christian beliefs, and a case looking at whether an employee who spends virtually all her...more
As employees return from the holiday season and businesses reopen, employers and HR leaders should be mindful of key employment developments in 2024 that may affect their workforce. 2024 will see a number of legislative...more
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) recently clarified the consultation requirement for employers in redundancy situations, emphasising that a fair process may require consulting with employees at an early, formative stage...more
Our June update includes cases on whether an employer notified of an employee’s pregnancy just before termination is liable for a pregnancy dismissal, whether an employer’s future discovery of a disability makes it...more
Our April update includes cases on religious belief discrimination in the education sector, with a school chaplain preaching to pupils his views on same-sex marriage, a case considering whether the potentially disruptive...more
Our March update includes new cases on whether a “without prejudice” letter attaching a settlement agreement and referring to a termination by mutual agreement can be an effective dismissal letter, the role of written...more
With the number of UK redundancies during December 2022 having doubled compared to the same period during 2021 and a number of high-profile layoffs being announced daily, more businesses will likely have to make difficult...more
Our November update includes new case law on settlement agreements, particularly the extent to which they can prevent future claims, satisfying statutory requirements for protected disclosures in whistleblowing cases and an...more
Our May update considers key employment law developments from April 2022. It includes an interesting case on specific disclosure requests, details about the future “road map” for employment tribunal proceedings, the new code...more
Redundancy and consultation processes have made headlines this month after P&O Ferries made around 800 of its staff redundant with immediate effect via a pre-recorded video message....more
Our March update considers key employment law developments from February 2022. It includes an important case on holiday pay for gig economy workers, EAT guidance on employment status and a case considering the ability of a...more
Striking Workers Are Protected from Suffering Detriment - Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency - On November 18, 2021, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) confirmed that workers who take part in...more
Was a Redundancy Dismissal Unfair Because of Lack of Appeal? In Gwynedd Council v (1) Barratt (2) Hughes [2021] EWCA Civ 1322, the Court of Appeal (CA) considered whether an employer’s failure to give an employee an...more
Our October 2021 update includes recent case developments with regard to whether a lack of an appeal renders dismissals unfair, the concept of “working time” under the Working Time Directive as well as less favourable...more
In Gwynedd Council v Barratt the UK Court of Appeal confirmed that a redundancy dismissal will not be unfair solely because an employer has not offered an employee a right to appeal. However, failing to offer an appeal...more