Trade Union Right of Access (from 30th October 2026)
Alan Kitto
From 30 October 2026, independent trade unions will have a new legal right to ask employers for access to their workforce, under the Employment Rights Act 2025.
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With the National Minimum Wage (NMW) now almost fifteen years old, and with another increase pending on 1st April 2017 HMRC have issued a list of the most elaborate excuses they've been given by employers for not paying the appropriate rates:
Trade Union Information – New Employer Duty Delayed to January 2027
Alan Kitto
I wanted to provide a brief update regarding the impending new requirement for employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union.
Read MoreRight to Work checks – Important Changes from 1 October 2026
Alan Kitto
The following important changes to the UK's Right to Work requirements take effect from, 1 October 2026.
Read MoreNew Bereavement (Compassionate) Leave Rules Confirmed
Alan Kitto
Following its consultation earlier this year, the Government has now confirmed its plans for a new statutory right to bereavement leave (often referred to as compassionate leave).
Read MoreSuicide Prevention Month
Alan Kitto
As you may know, September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share some practical guidance you might find useful to pass on to your team, whether that's through a team meeting, an internal email, or simply keeping it in mind in day-to-day conversations.
Read MoreWhy Employers Who Reject Hybrid Working Are Building in Failure
Alan Kitto
A few years ago, ‘hybrid working’ was a perk. Today, for most knowledge-based businesses, it's closer to table stakes. And yet a stubborn number of employers are still trying to claw their way back to five-days-a-week in the office, often citing culture, productivity, or ‘the way we've always done things.’
Read MoreSix Months and Counting: The Unfair Dismissal Shake-up Temporary Contracts Can't Ignore
Alan Kitto
From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from two years to just six months. For employers who lean on fixed-term or temporary contracts to cover short-term needs, this is a change worth planning for now, not in December 2026.
Read More40 Years of Employment Law
Alan Kitto
Today marks 40 years since I started work, 23 June 1986. Over those four decades, the employment law landscape in Great Britain has been transformed almost beyond recognition.
Read MoreThe 2026 FIFA World Cup Starts This Week — Is Your Business Ready?
Alan Kitto
The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday 11 June, with the final scheduled for 19 July. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, this year's tournament features a record 48 teams and 104 matches — and with England, Scotland and Wales all having qualified, there's every reason for your employees to be following it closely.
Read MoreNew Trade Union Access Rights – What Employers Need to Know
Alan Kitto
One of the more significant employment law developments arising from the Employment Rights Act 2025 is the introduction of new statutory rights allowing trade unions to access workplaces and communicate directly with workers.
Read MoreEmployment Law Case Round-Up – Spring 2026
Alan Kitto
Recent Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal decisions continue to highlight the importance of fair procedures, careful handling of flexible working requests, and balanced workplace investigations.
Read MoreNational Minimum/Living Wage - HMRC Clarification
Alan Kitto
Hi, I wanted to share a useful clarification following a discussion with HMRC earlier today regarding the conversion of hourly National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates into annual salaries and vice versa.
Read MoreApril 2026 Employment Law Changes: A Major Shift for Employers
Alan Kitto
April is always a key time for employment law updates, but 2026 marks a much more significant shift than usual.
Read MoreAnnual Compensation Limit Increase
Alan Kitto
The government has today announced the new employment tribunal compensation that are effective for dismissals on or after 6th April 2026:
Read MoreEmployment Law Update
Alan Kitto
The government has recently, and very quietly, published an Unfair Dismissal Factsheet on its Employment Rights Act 2025 webpage, clarifying how key reforms will be implemented.
Read More2026 Statutory Rates Announced
Alan Kitto
The government has today announced the statutory rates that are effective from 6th April 2026.
Read MoreEnding Caps on Unfair Dismissal Compensation
Alan Kitto
As part of its decision to abandon day one unfair dismissal rights in favour of reducing the qualifying period from two years to six months continuous employment, the government has committed to scrapping the statutory cap on compensation for ordinary unfair dismissal cases.
Read MoreImportant Update on Day One Unfair Dismissal Rights
Alan Kitto
One of the major provisions within the Government’s Employment Rights Bill was the removal of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal cases, and in so doing, give employees a day one right to bring such claims.
Read MoreNational Minimum Wage and National Living Wage Increases for 2026 Announced
Alan Kitto
Ahead of tomorrow’s budget, the government has this evening announced the increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage which will take effect from the start of April 2026.
Read MoreGovernment Proposes to Double Acas Early Conciliation Window to 12 Weeks
Alan Kitto
The Government has unveiled draft regulations to extend the Early Conciliation period administered by Acas from six weeks to 12 weeks, effective for cases where conciliation begins on or after 1 December 2025.
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