40 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.
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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:
The 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.
Read More2026 Real Living Wage Rates Announced
Alan Kitto
We are pleased to highlight the latest rise in the Real Living Wage, as published by the Living Wage Foundation, and explain how it applies to full-time employment.
Please note that this is separate from the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, which are likely to be published for 2026 in the next few weeks.
Read MoreHR Support for SARA
Alan Kitto
We are delighted to announce that we have recently agreed to provide HR support to the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).
Read MoreSeptember is Suicide Prevention Month
Alan Kitto
Every September, organisations across the globe mark Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide.
Read MoreNew Assessments Can Help You Recruit with Confidence
Alan Kitto
Employers are facing a tight talent pool, rising recruitment expenses, and increasing uncertainty surrounding employment legislation. One major development is the Government’s proposed amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, which will make unfair dismissal a ‘day one’ right. This shift, when introduced, will reduce the flexibility employers currently have during probation periods and early employment, adding further pressure to get recruitment decisions right first time.
Read MoreFlexible Working - Key Insights from CIPD
Alan Kitto
As flexible and hybrid working continues to reshape the modern workplace, the CIPD’s latest report, ‘Flexible and Hybrid Working Practices in 2025, offers timely insight into how these arrangements are evolving — and what it means for both employers and employees.
Read MoreHouse of Lords Reject Day One Unfair Dismissal Rights
Alan Kitto
In a major House of Lords vote last week, peers backed an amendment (Amendment 49) to the Employment Rights Bill, scrapping the proposed day‑one unfair dismissal right in favour of reinstating a qualifying period for tribunal claims.
Read MoreEmployment Rights Bill - Updated Roadmap
Alan Kitto
Within the last few days, the Government has issued an updated timescale on the introduction of the various provisions contained within its Employment Rights Bill.
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