Today (Thursday 10th October) the Government published the draft Employment Rights Bill. It is claimed to be ‘the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’ and stems from one of Labour’s key manifesto commitments. So what are the highlights? Employers will have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual…
The government has confirmed its plans to bring the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 into force on Saturday 26th October 2024. The Act will require employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to protect employees from sexual harassment in the course of their employment. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will be…
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a guide to help employers support disabled workers’ full participation in hybrid working. The guide provides practical tips, conversation prompts, questions, and case study examples. It covers recruitment and employment. What does the law say about reasonable adjustments in employment? The Equality Act 2010 recognises that achieving…
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The Labour government has made comprehensive proposals to enhance workers’ rights. The aim is to create a fairer and more inclusive working environment. Here is a summary: Artificial intelligence Labour plans to introduce regulations to protect workers from the potential negative effects of artificial intelligence in the workplace. This includes ensuring that AI systems are…
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We will likely see increased claims, adding to the backlog already within the system. In 2023/24, open employment tribunal cases increased by 3% to 653,000. Solutions Labour’s primary solution to combat the strain appears to be digitising claims. However, the Conservatives already modernised and digitised the tribunal process by introducing the ‘MyHMCTS’ system for submitting…
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its guidance on adverts. What does it say? What is a discriminatory advert? A discriminatory advert restricts jobs, goods, facilities, or services to people with particular protected characteristics, such as men or people of a particular age group. It is unlawful except in limited circumstances where…
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What is a mouse mover? A mouse mover, also known as a mouse jiggler, is a device or software that keeps a computer mouse in motion to prevent the computer from going idle. It can be a small physical device placed under a mouse or inserted in a USB port, or a software application that…
With a potential Labour government imminent, employers need to think now about its impact on their current trade union and collective bargaining arrangements. The Labour manifesto states explicitly that stronger trade unions and collective bargaining will be the key mechanisms that enable them to tackle what they perceive as problems in the employment arena. So…
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On 4th July 2024 we will vote for our next government. The most recent polls indicate a Labour landslide, which would precipitate what is potentially the ‘biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation.’ The Labour Party’s employment law proposals were set out in Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay: Delivering A New Deal…
Labour We will go to the polling booths on 4th July 2024. If Labour wins, what should we expect? Key plans are likely to include: More day-one employment rights, including the right not to be unfairly dismissed (although employers will be able to operate probationary periods). A ban on zero-hours contracts, unless requested, and new…
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The City & Guilds Foundation, which specialises in developing skills, has published its 2024 Neurodiversity Index report. The report found that more organisations are focusing on neuro-inclusion, with more employers having neuro-inclusion strategies and adapting their recruitment practices to accommodate neurodivergent applicants than in the previous year. However, it also found that 50% of individual…
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Redundancy In a redundancy situation, pregnant employees who notify their employer of their pregnancy on or after 6th April 2024 have priority for any suitable alternative vacancy that is available. Employees returning to work on or after 6th April 2024 from a period of maternity or adoption leave, or a period of shared parental leave…
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