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 […]

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 […]

HR Update: Sexual Harassment Example Case

An employer has had to pay compensation in excess of £50,000 to a former employee who was sexually harassed by her Manager and some colleagues who thought their behaviour was normal “workplace banter”.  Background Shortly after commencing employment with a well-known retail chain, the employee was subjected to unwanted advances and inappropriate comments by a […]

Civil Unrest: The HR Implications

As we are all aware the last couple of weeks has seen civil unrests on the streets in England and Northern Ireland fueled to a great extent by misinformation posted on social media and social media also being used to promote further unrest. We do not believe it would be helpful to get into debate […]

Rescinded Resignation: The Rules

Do You Have to Accept an Employee’s Request to Rescind Their Resignation? Generally speaking, an employee’s resignation does not need to be accepted for it to take effect.  If an employee wishes to leave their employment, an employer cannot prevent that happening: you cannot force an employee to remain working for you if they do […]