Insights & News

New Bill to mandate minimum service levels during public service strikes

12 January 2023

Faced by entrenched pay disputes across the UK public sector and railway network, the government is proposing to expand and simplify its previously-announced reforms and introduce minimum service levels during strikes across a range of public services.

Prioritise the planet in 2023: New Year’s Climate Resolutions for HR

06 January 2023

With every organisation having a key role to play in the collective corporate effort to reach net zero, now is a prime opportunity for HR to step up and take the lead. Here are some practical New Year’s Climate Resolutions that you can make to embed tackling climate change into your workplace culture and empower your workforce to take action.

What's happening in employment law in Ireland in 2023

05 January 2023

The whirlwind of workplace and employment law developments we saw in 2022 is set to continue with multiple proposals for reform in the pipeline, including requirements on employers to deal with flexible and remote work requests, the introduction of a national living wage and other reforms flowing from the EU. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

What’s happening in employment law in 2023?

05 January 2023

There’s lots happening in employment law all of a sudden. 2023 looks set to be a year in which major employment law changes are shaped and fleshed out. From the post-Brexit reform agenda to a series of private members’ bills, key caselaw decisions to other planned developments, there is much change on the horizon, and little time for us to get our heads around it. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

New regulations in Ireland on transparent and predictable working conditions

05 January 2023

The European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022 became law on 16 December 2022 without much attention, notwithstanding that it includes some significant obligations on employers which require their immediate attention.

Catherine Leung named as Head of Employment in Hong Kong

Press Release

04 January 2023

Lewis Silkin has today announced Catherine Leung as Head of Employment for the firm’s Hong Kong office, further strengthening its market-leading employment practice.

Insolvency and TUPE

Inbrief

04 January 2023

Buying from an administrator can be a golden opportunity to pick up a business at a substantial discount to market value. It is a chance for a fresh start, without the debt and creditor demands experienced by the insolvent owner. But no business can run without people – and employment law tends to protect employees.

What’s happening in employment law in Northern Ireland in 2023?

04 January 2023

With the continuing lack of a functioning Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland, employment law remains more or less in stalemate. That said, the active post-Brexit reform agenda impacts Northern Ireland and the decision in an important holiday pay case is expected. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

Lifting the cap

21 December 2022

One of the few proposals to survive from Kwasi Kwarteng’s Growth Plan in September 2022 is the abolition of the so-called bankers’ bonus cap. We take a look at the consultation paper that has just been published.

When can a termination discussion be without prejudice?

15 December 2022

For a discussion to be “without prejudice” there must be an existing dispute between the parties. A recent EAT case helpfully clarified when a grievance will count as a dispute for these purposes.

Compliance requirements for new employers in Great Britain

Inbrief

14 December 2022

When setting yourself up as an employer in Great Britain it is important to ensure that you understand and follow all the relevant rules. This Inbrief summarises the main legal obligations and administrative requirements that apply to new employers.

Ireland - Linda Hynes advises employers on employee complaints post office parties on The Examiner

12 December 2022

When hosting a staff party, employers need to remember they have a duty of care for everyone’s wellbeing and that all present should be advised that they’re still legally ‘at work’ while attending a ‘work event’, advises a leading employment lawyer.

Christmas Party Chaos: Síobhra Rush comments for Today FM

12 December 2022

Christmas party season is in full swing and for many people this is the first time back at a work gathering since before the pandemic.

Modernising flexible working - day one “right to request” but no “right to have”

08 December 2022

The government’s response to consultation on flexible working proposes a “day one” right to request and various other changes to the current rules, but stops short of more radical reform.

Sexual misconduct in the legal sector: a seasonal reminder that prevention is better than cure

07 December 2022

This time last year Omicron cases were on the rise, leading to the cancellation of countless Christmas celebrations. Many law firms are now due to host ‘in person’ Christmas parties for the first time in almost three years. Although the spirits of party-starved lawyers are bound to be high, inhibitions may not be. Ahead of these festivities, it’s therefore important for firms to be clear about appropriate workplace behaviour and the potential consequences of sexual misconduct.

Masking for trouble? Can employers require staff to wear a face mask even if an employee says they have a disability that prevents them from doing so?

30 November 2022

The use of face masks at work is back under the spotlight as winter approaches, with two recent Employment Tribunal decisions considering whether it could be an act of disability discrimination to require disabled employees to wear face masks.

“Eight drivers of change – 2022 and beyond” (By James Davies, Lewis Silkin LLP)

22 November 2022

Last year James Davies published a report the Eight Drivers of Change – the future of work for the Future of Work Hub. It identified eight key drivers of change in society as a whole, and in the workplace in particular. It considered how these interconnected drivers were accelerating change at an unprecedented scale and speed and how these changes were influencing the what, where, from where, when, how, how much/many, who and why of work.

Government backs new laws on carers, sexual harassment, flexible working, redundancy protection and more: the Employment Bill by the back door?

17 November 2022

Back in 2019, the government announced a new Employment Bill. A pandemic and two prime ministers later, it has not appeared. But several Private Members’ Bills now cover much of the same ground and have gained government support. Employment law reform now looks likely to be ushered in by the back door.