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Employment Status

We recognise the need for flexibility in the workforce and that different roles require different types of arrangements.

We regularly advise organisations about all aspects of their non-permanent workforce, including the suitability of arrangements, appropriate agreements, rights and obligations, and dealing with any disputes which arise.

Employment status

The growth of the “gig economy”, the demands for greater flexibility the tax and national insurance benefits of self-employment and Government reviews of employment status have brought the issue of employment status to the top of the agenda for many employers.

With extensive experience of the complex issues involved, our employment and employment tax lawyers can guide businesses through this tricky area and help workforces plan for the challenges of the 21st Century or defend themselves from challenges whether from unions, their workforce or HMRC.

All things atypical

We help businesses with any “non-standard” working arrangements and issues related to:

  • Apprentices
  • employment agencies
  • employers of record
  • casual / zero hours workers
  • the gig or platform economy
  • IR35
  • self-employment, contractors, freelancers and consultants
  • secondments and other staff augmentation
  • insourcing / outsourcing of labour
  • interns / volunteers
  • flexible and remote working
  • fixed term / part time employees

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A community blog and resource site to help employers prepare for the future.

Related items

Related services

Checklist

Apprenticeships

06 February 2024

This Inbrief provides an overview of the law and current practice relating to apprentices. It focuses mainly on the Approved English Apprenticeship regime but touches on some of the other types of apprenticeship. We also highlight the main pitfalls to avoid when recruiting apprentices.

Business Office

Zero hours contracts

19 January 2024

Zero hours contracts allow organisations to hire individuals without guaranteeing them any work.

Office

The Working Time Regulations 1998

19 January 2024

The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) were originally introduced to implement the European Working Time Directive in the UK. They remain in force (with some amendments) now that the UK has left the EU.

Brexit

Retained EU law bill: our proposals for employment law reform

15 March 2023

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have sweeping effects on UK employment law. With a hard deadline of 31 December 2023, quick decisions about reforms will be needed. We’ve drawn up a list of the EU-based employment laws we’d like to see changed.

Employment

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.

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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.

Employment

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.

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