Your office Christmas Party is, hopefully, normally pretty lively and good fun. However, Employers can face problems if their staff ‘misbehave’. Without being too much of a Grinch there are…
With a 56% rise in Tribunal claims in 2010, Employment Tribunals (ET’s) have been in the news a lot lately! Here we give you the information you need to know…
After the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations in 2010, many companies started to use more zero-hours contract workers than Agency temps. Here we look at what they are, but…
(updated 2023) Apprenticeship schemes are often in the news – and not always for the right reasons. We’ve had a look at what they are and where you can find…
We thought we’d look in detail at the main differences in Employment Law between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Generally, employment law between England and Wales is the same;…
As part of our guide to Maternity here is a quick chart to help you work out your Maternity Leave and Pay entitlements - updated for 2011.
Updated July 2024: The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (referred to below as TUPE) is now the main piece of legislation governing the sale or transfer of…
When considering if a worker is disabled or not for the purposes of being covered by the Equality Act 2010, employers must consider the impact of any physical or mental…
Pay and Wages explained. How your Pay is protected from 'unauthorised deductions' from your Employer and what to do if your Employer wants to cut your pay or you cannot…
Our advice about Redundancy is updated for 2011. Redundancy is a ‘fair’ means of dismissal by your Employer if the procedures they follow and the circumstances are correct. A Redundancy…
Certain Employees, who have caring responsibilties for children or adults, now have the legal right to request to work flexible hours. Additionally, employees have the right to request time off…
Information about Adoption Leave and Pay and who is eligible for it. Our advice is updated for 2011 to include details of how your adoption partner/husband/spouse can take over any…
Updated February 2025. Following the birth of a child or an adoption placement, fathers, spouses and partners/civil partners who are employees have a right to paternity leave and pay, to…
Updated January 2024. There has been plenty of confusion surrounding how workers holiday entitlements (given by the Working Time Regulations) react with sickness absence. After several years of conflicting UK…
The 2010 Equality Act contained the concept of Third Party Harassment, where employers could be held liable for harassment of their workers by third parties. (Updated 2024) This meant that…
Up to date information about Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and your entitlement to it. New information in 2010 on Sick notes and 'Fit' Notes and our advice is updated for…
(updated July 2023) Forgive the long title, but these Regulations are important for Limited Company Contractors (or Personal Service Companies) and agency temps. These regulations were introduced in April 2004…
Did you know that part-time employees and workers have the same employment rights as full-time employees (and workers)? You do not have to work a minimum number of hours to…
Employees and Workers who ‘blow the whistle’ - i.e.make a 'protected disclosure' of any wrong-doing in the workplace by their Employer - are now protected by law in certain circumstances.…
Detailed information about the Minimum Wage; information on TV/Film Industry Pay Guidelines; information about Agency Workers and guidelines for Unpaid Work Experience in the TV/Film Industry.
(Updated November 2025). If an employee or ex-employee has a potential Employment Tribunal claim, since May 2014, they’re required to contact Acas first, who will then contact their employer for…
From 1st October 2011, Agency Workers in Great Britain (Northern Ireland will publish their own separate regulations) will have the right to ‘equal treatment’ in certain areas of their employment.…
IR35 – Updated 2016. Many new freelancers and contractors may be vaguely aware of IR35, but not know when and where it applies. Before getting too intimate with the ins…
With the diversity of workforces in the UK today, there’ll inevitably be many workers of different nationalities and with different languages and cultures. This will mean that employers may need…
‘Without Prejudice’ Rules have existed for a long time, and are used by an employer when they and an employee have a dispute in their working relationship which they try…
The European Court of Human Rights says no, you can’t be dismissed because of your political opinions! In the case of Redfearn v the United Kingdom, the Court of Human…
During a bad patch, it’s common for an employer to attempt to make changes to your employment contract, to save money, rather than make redundancies. In our article about Written…
We look at several issues, as this can be more complicated than it initially looks! (updated 2025) Do Employers have to seek references when recruiting? Generally, there’s no legal obligation…
With CCTV cameras everywhere you go these days, how likely is it that your employer or client is keeping an eye on you? Basically, quite likely. Employers can monitor staff…
A contract of employment is an agreement between you and your employer. There’s always a contract between you and your employer, even if you don’t have anything in writing, because…
(updated 2014) The Employment Rights Act 1996 (the law that currently covers making redundancies) says that, ‘an employee is dismissed by reason of redundancy if the dismissal is wholly or…
We thought we’d look at the concept of ‘continuity of service’ in more detail here, as it’s important for employees and workers in terms of the employment rights that they’re…
Your job is at risk of redundancy, and your employer has offered you redeployment to another job in the same company. Are you obliged to accept the redeployment? Redundancy Redundancy…
Fixed Term Contracts have always been popular with employers as a way to fill a ‘gap’ for a temporary period, but we also know they can be abused. Here, we…
In unfair dismissal claims, employment tribunals take the "Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures" that was introduced in 2009, into account where relevant..However, many Employers make mistakes…
This is a difficult and potentially time-consuming process. Long-term freelancers will certainly wish to 'IR35-proof' their contracts in order to avoid the reduction in earnings. Contracts will need to be…
Whatever your employment status, whether you are an employee, worker or freelancer, you have rights at work that are protected by law. Below is a comprehensive summary of what you…
All Employees are legally entitled to a Written Statement, which they must receive within two months of starting the job. It is a summary in writing of your main terms…
Can pregnant women get time off to attend ante-natal classes?
Find out who is entitled to take Parental Leave by reading this article - our advice is updated for 2011.
Did you know that in many circumstances employees now have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on them? Read more…
Employer’s responsibilities All employers are required by law, as a minimum, to outline their disciplinary rules and procedures in an employees’ written statement of terms and conditions (which all employees…
