Trade Union Act 2016: main provisions come into force on 1 March 2017

The Trade Union Act 2016 into force on 1 March 2017. The major changes include: Ballots: 50% turnout requirement. Ballots in “important public services”: additional 40% support requirement. Information requirements…

Employment tribunals online database of decisions now live

The database has now gone live. The database covers decisions from England, Wales and Scotland. It is understood that it will initially cover new or recent judgments. It is…

High heels and workplace dress codes

A joint report has been published by the House of Commons Petitions Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee called High heels and workplace dress codes. A petition was signed…

Call for better pregnancy and maternity protection

The government has published its response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s report calling for better pregnancy and maternity protection. The majority of the Committee’s recommendations have not been adopted…

Two brothers sentenced under Modern Slavery Act

Two brothers have each been jailed for exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and fraud offences and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006. The two brothers arranged for vulnerable people…

Will you be my valentine? How to deal with romance in the workplace

Most people who work in an office have to develop close working relationships with their colleagues, not least because they spend a substantial part of their lives in their close…

Dismissal fair despite reliance on expired warnings

In this case a tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal decided that a dismissal was fair even though the employer relied on previous warnings. Mr Stratford started work for Auto…

Employers pay over £83,000 under tribunal penalty regime

The penalty regime for unpaid employment tribunal awards came into force on 6 April 2016. Defaulting employers may be issued with a penalty notice requiring them to pay a financial…

“She only makes the tea”: Bizarre excuses for not paying minimum wage

HMRC officials have released ten of the most bizarre responses provided by employers when questioned on their reasons for failing to pay the national minimum wage (NMW). Excuses for not…

Dentists call for the abolition of “workplace cake culture”

Dentists have called for an end to the “workplace cake culture”, saying the sharing of sweets and cakes leads to obesity and poor oral health. The Royal College of Surgeons,…

Illegal working

In December 2016, nearly 100 people were arrested in nail bars on suspicion of working illegally and breaching immigration laws. Authorities raided 280 nail bars nationally as part of Operation…

Modern Slavery – Gangmasters agree to pay more than £1m

A Kent-based gangmaster couple have agreed to a landmark settlement worth more than £1m in compensation and legal costs for a group of migrants who were trafficked to work on…

Tribunal quarterly statistics

The Ministry of Justice has published the statistics for tribunals for the period July to September 2016. During this quarter: Employment tribunals received 4,300 single claims (up 2% on the…

Online database for Employment Tribunal judgments

HM Courts and Tribunals Service has confirmed that future Employment Tribunal decisions will soon be readily available online. The online database will enable people to access recent tribunal judgments that…

Annual increase to statutory pay

The government has announced the following proposed increases to statutory benefit payments commencing in April: The weekly rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) will be £89.35 (up from £88.45). The…

Flexible hours lengthen working life

According to new research almost half of workers would work longer before retiring if more opportunities for flexible hours were offered. According to the British Social Attitudes Survey, 46% of…

Gender pay gap regulations

The final draft of the Gender Pay Gap regulations have been published and will come into force on 6 April 2017. The Regulations clarify who is covered under the legislation,…

Female workers receive grooming “list”

Senior staff at the Dorchester Hotel have been criticised for sending a list of grooming standards to female applicants requiring them to meet certain standards while working at the hotel.…

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Article Categories

Trade Union Act 2016: main provisions come into force on 1 March 2017

Employment tribunals online database of decisions now live

High heels and workplace dress codes

Call for better pregnancy and maternity protection

Two brothers sentenced under Modern Slavery Act

Will you be my valentine? How to deal with romance in the workplace

Dismissal fair despite reliance on expired warnings

Employers pay over £83,000 under tribunal penalty regime

“She only makes the tea”: Bizarre excuses for not paying minimum wage

Dentists call for the abolition of “workplace cake culture”

Illegal working

Modern Slavery – Gangmasters agree to pay more than £1m

Tribunal quarterly statistics

Online database for Employment Tribunal judgments

Annual increase to statutory pay

Flexible hours lengthen working life

Gender pay gap regulations

Female workers receive grooming “list”