All Reasonable Steps: Can You Evidence Your Sexual Harassment Prevention?
From 30 October 2026, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. Not some steps. Not the obvious ones. All of them. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduced a legal duty for employers to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment, which came into force in […]
Three months just became six: the new tribunal time limits
Waiting for that potential claim to land? As of today, three months just became six. From 1 October 2026, the time limit for bringing most employment tribunal claims doubles. In some situations, it effectively triples. If you have ever closed the file on a difficult exit once the three-month mark passed, that habit stops being […]
Fixed-term contracts and the new six-month unfair dismissal rule: what does it mean for your business?
From 1 January 2027, your fixed-term employees will be able to claim unfair dismissal after just six months. It is a change that could catch out even the most careful employer. Here is what you need to have on your radar. What is changing? The Employment Rights Act 2025 cuts the qualifying period for unfair […]
Employment law under our new Prime Minister, what should UK SME employers expect?
With Parliament in its summer recess, now is a good time to take stock of where employment law reform actually stands, and to look ahead to what promises to be a busy autumn and new year. Many of the reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA) are still to come into force. With a […]
What does the ACAS proposals to rewrite the Disciplinary and Grievance Code for SME? The biggest change since 2009
Employment tribunals have long judged employers on whether they followed a fair disciplinary or grievance process. That yardstick is about to shift. ACAS has launched a consultation on a brand-new Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. It’s the first full rewrite of the Code since 2009, and it puts early, informal resolution front […]
Trade Union right of access: what does it mean for your business?
New rights are coming that change how trade unions can engage with your workforce. Here is what is already in place, what is changing, and what you need to do before it lands. What right do unions already have to communicate with workers? Trade unions already have defined rights to communicate with your people during […]
Surviving the Summer: Heatwaves, Dress Codes and Holiday Requests
Summer brings three predictable HR headaches every year: how to keep staff comfortable in the heat, what they can wear, and how to manage the inevitable rush of holiday requests. Here is our practical, no-nonsense guide to all three. Is there a legal maximum temperature for the workplace? No. Despite what many people believe, there […]
Fair vs Unfair dismissal – What’s the difference?
Dismissing an employee is never an easy task, but it is often a necessary one. The process can be fraught with difficultly and become complex if not handled correctly. Get it wrong and you could find yourself in an Employment Tribunal. With the average award now reaching £13,749 and with the changes to the length […]
Harassment investigations – don’t pay lip service!
Did you know?… The findings of a recent Parliamentary Committee enquiry highlighted that some employers are still failing to investigate harassment complaints, despite the prolific number of #metoo campaigns and the high-profile cases in the news. Some employers are failing when investigating harassment complaints. They claim to have policies that promote diversity, then fail when […]