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Election talking points: how will employment tribunals cope with Labour’s proposed reforms?
28 June 2024The Labour Party promises transformational reforms to employment law. If Labour win the General Election 2024, how will employment tribunals cope with a likely increase in the number of claims? And what will be the impact of increased delays on employers?
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UK election 2024: employment law reforms
27 June 2024What employment law changes should we expect after the UK general election? We’re listing the key pledges in our tracker.
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Election talking points: What could a new right to disconnect look like under a Labour government?
27 June 2024The Labour Party has promised to introduce a right to switch off, similar to models adopted in Ireland and Belgium. What do these models look like? And what impact could this have for UK employers?
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Don’t allow AI to erode workplace trust, Síobhra Rush comments for the Law Society Gazette
25 June 2024The EU AI Act has been adopted by the Council of the EU. In this article, Síobhra Rush highlights the Act’s key compliance obligations, the application of which will be staggered over the next two years, and how employers should prepare.
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Employment law across the globe: what’s happened and what’s coming up?
20 June 2024This document was prepared for our 2024 Managing an International Workforce conference on 20th June 2024.
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Employees can waive future claims under a settlement agreement
18 June 2024An employee waived his right to bring future employment claims when he signed a settlement agreement on transfer to a long-term disability benefits scheme, according to a recent decision. The waiver was valid even though it covered future claims. It meant that the employee could not complain about the lack of any salary review when participating in the scheme.
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Election talking points: what are Labour’s plans for unfair dismissal?
17 June 2024Labour has pledged the “biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation” if it wins the forthcoming general election. And a key part of this promise is the proposal to provide basic individual rights – including the right not to be unfairly dismissed – from day one of employment. What might this mean for employers and employees?
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Beyond borders: Comparative Table of employment law in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
13 June 2024Do you need to stay up-to-date with employment law developments across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland? If so, our updated Comparative Table will be a handy reference guide.
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Election talking points: How is Labour proposing to rebalance “one-sided flexibility”?
12 June 2024The Labour Party has expressed its commitment to ending what it calls “one sided flexibility”. If Labour wins the election, how will its proposals in relation to zero-hour contracts and shift scheduling achieve this?
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Election talking points: How quickly can Labour implement its New Deal for Working People?
06 June 2024If the Labour Party wins the election, it promises the biggest “upgrade” to rights at work for a generation. But how quickly will it happen?
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TUPE takeaways: changing working arrangements and constructive dismissal
06 June 2024In the first of a new series of articles about practical TUPE takeaways, we look at a case about changing working arrangements following a TUPE transfer. We consider what lessons can be learned from the finding of constructive unfair dismissal in this case.
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Spouses of non-EU permit holders are now free to work in Ireland - Declan Groarke comments for the Irish Examiner
03 June 2024Ireland is now a more attractive destination for skilled overseas workers as it is now far easier for their partners to also work there. To make Ireland more attractive to skilled overseas workers, the State has eased the path for family reunification. Declan Groarke outlines the significance of these changes in this article.
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Holiday entitlement and pay
31 May 2024Holiday entitlement and pay is regulated by the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). The law in this area can be complex, and there are different rules for different types of worker. This Inbrief gives an overview of an employer’s main obligations relating to holiday entitlement and pay under the WTR. This Inbrief covers the legal position in England, Wales and Scotland. The law in Northern Ireland is different in some respects (please contact us for support if needed).
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Workplace Relations Commission publishes Annual Report – what are the key takeaways?
30 May 2024Each year, the Workplace Relations Commission (‘WRC), the body responsible for adjudicating on employment law disputes in Ireland, publishes a report on the previous year’s activities. This report always makes for interesting reading for employers and identifies some of the key trends developing in employment law matters before the WRC. In this article, Linda Hynes, Partner with Lewis Silkin Ireland, highlights the key takeaways and interesting points for employers.
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Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act – the new law explained
29 May 2024The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act has passed after being rushed through parliament in the final hours before the election campaign started. The Act will give new rights to bereaved fathers and partners where a child’s mother dies.
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Pay Transparency Directive: new employee rights to pay information
29 May 2024The impact of the new Pay Transparency Directive extends beyond gender pay gap reporting. Alongside requiring employers to report gender pay disparities, it also grants employees new rights to information about pay. Employers need to start preparing for much greater openness.
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Can victims of sexual harassment choose to stay anonymous?
28 May 2024A recent decision in the Hong Kong District Court sets out the legal principles to be applied in the granting of Anonymity Orders in sexual harassment cases. In this case, the Respondent’s application to set aside an Anonymity Order in favour of the Claimant was granted, sending a clear message that anonymity in sexual harassment claims is not automatic and must be properly obtained.
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What does the UK general election mean for employment law?
23 May 2024The Labour party has ambitious plans for reforming workers’ rights, so employment law will be a focus of the election campaign. As the manifestos are being finalised, here’s our summary of the key pledges and questions for employers.
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Can employees be suspended from work if they are arrested?
23 May 2024MPs now face exclusion from Parliament upon arrest for serious crimes. This has raised questions about the fairness of suspending at this point, for both MPs and employees outside Parliament. We explore best practice for suspending employees in the workplace.
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European Works Councils: abolition of the UK’s legal framework?
22 May 2024As part of its efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, the government has initiated a consultation on its plan to remove the legal framework for maintaining legacy European Works Councils in the UK. We explore why the repeal of “ill thought through legislation” is likely to be welcomed.