United Kingdom: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

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Employment law and labour law articles and thought leadership, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore articles covering topics such as Discrimination, Employee Benefits and Compensation, Health and Safety, Unfair/Wrongful Dismissal, Whistleblowing, Employment Rights, Outsourcing and Redundancy.
Article
UK Government Procurement Reforms: Implications For Trade Union Workplace Access
The UK Government has introduced new public procurement rules that double the weighting of social value criteria to 20% for contracts over £5 million, with trade union access and representation now explicitly factored into bid evaluations. This development creates a commercial incentive for employers to engage with unions, working in tandem with the Employment Rights Act 2025's new workplace access regime. Employers bidding for government contracts must now consider union relations not just as a compli
United Kingdom Employment
AO
A&O Shearman
Article
Potential Changes To The UK’s Employee Automatic Transfer Regime
On 14 July 2026, the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Consultation Paper CP11/26 and Consultation Paper CP26/29, respectively, within which proposals, including draft rules, have been put forward for the introduction of a “tailored regime for captive insurance” in the UK (the Consultation Papers).
United Kingdom Employment
SA
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Video
Supreme Court Ruling: When Is A Home Office Illegal Working Penalty Invalid? (Video)
The Supreme Court has ruled that Home Office civil penalty notices for illegal working must clearly specify the exact basis of an employer's alleged liability, not simply list all possible reasons. This landmark decision affects how employers can challenge penalties and what information they're entitled to receive when accused of employing workers without proper permission.
United Kingdom Employment
VG
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law
Article
UK Pensions: What’s New This Week? August 10, 2026
The UK's Normal Minimum Pension Age is set to increase from 55 to 57 in April 2028, but what transitional protections will apply to members caught in between? Meanwhile, the High Court has delivered a significant ruling on how pension trustees should assess discretionary increases when scheme funding is uncertain, and new guidance emerges on pensions dashboards reporting and collective DC authorization.
United Kingdom Employment
AO
A&O Shearman
Article
Sponsor Licence Suspension And Urgent Compliance: An Employer Guide
When a UK Sponsor Licence faces suspension, employers must act swiftly to address compliance failures and prevent revocation. Understanding the suspension process, common triggers, and immediate response strategies can mean the difference between maintaining your ability to hire international talent and losing your sponsorship privileges entirely. This guide examines the critical steps employers must take when confronted with urgent compliance issues.
United Kingdom Immigration
WB
WestBridge Business Immigration
Article
How The UK's New Illegal Working Rules Will Affect Your Commercial Contracts
From 1 October 2026, the UK's illegal working regime is undergoing a major overhaul with complex new rules that will significantly change who needs to conduct 'right to work' checks and when. While the immigration and employment implications are substantial, these changes will have far-reaching effects on commercial contracts, particularly in supply chains involving subcontracted services and intermediary platforms that connect workers with clients.
United Kingdom Employment
LS
Lewis Silkin
Podcast
Work And Class Episode 3: Speaking Up About Accent Bias (Podcast)
Accent bias shapes workplace perceptions in ways most people don't consciously acknowledge, affecting everything from recruitment decisions to career progression. Research reveals that 76% of interviewers admit to being influenced by a candidate's accent, with Northern and Midlands accents consistently ranked lowest in prestige. This episode explores the real-world impact of accent discrimination and examines practical interventions employers can implement to address this pervasive form of prejudice.
United Kingdom Employment
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
Hybrid Or Flexible Working - Both At Home Or Abroad
As hybrid and flexible working arrangements become increasingly common, employees seeking to work remotely from abroad face a complex web of legal requirements that differ significantly from domestic arrangements. This analysis explores the critical distinctions between working from home in the UK versus relocating to work in Spain, examining visa requirements, employment rights, data protection obligations, and the essential policies employers must implement to manage cross-border remote working arrangemen
United Kingdom Immigration
GP
Giambrone & Partners
Article
Consultation Open For Wide-Ranging Reforms To UK’s Equal Pay Framework
The UK Government has launched a comprehensive consultation on reforming the equal pay framework for England, Scotland, and Wales, proposing the most significant changes since the Equality Act 2010. The reforms are structured in two phases: first streamlining procedures and strengthening transparency, then broadening protections to ethnic minorities, disabled people, and addressing pay equality in contractual arrangements.
United Kingdom Employment
LM
Littler Mendelson
Article
Get Ready For The New Illegal Working Regime
The expanded illegal working regime introduces new categories of working arrangements requiring right to work checks and extended liability provisions. Businesses responsible for compliance may need to allocate resources over the summer to operationalise expanded checking processes ahead of the October 2026 implementation date. This Q&A addresses frequently asked questions from a recent webinar on preparing for these regulatory changes.
United Kingdom Employment
LS
Lewis Silkin
Article
Burnham As PM: How Can Employers Prepare For “Manchesterism” In Downing Street?
Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, bringing his "Manchesterism" approach from Greater Manchester to Number 10. His track record includes the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, which sets voluntary standards beyond statutory minimums across seven criteria for good employment. How will his premiership shape the future of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and employment law reforms nationally?
United Kingdom Employment
LS
Lewis Silkin
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