Employment Law Review
Thompsons’ Employment Law Review is recognised as an authoritative source of comment and discussion from our trade union law specialists. Available to read here, and also via a weekly email bulletin, the Employment Law Review offers considerable insight into the latest issues affecting trade unions and their members.
Latest Issues
Weekly Issue 889
- Equity and others v Talent Systems Europe Ltd (trading as Spotlight)
- AB v Grafters Group Ltd (t/a CSI Catering Services International)
- Employment Rights Bill: Commons Rejects Key Lords Amendments and Next Steps
Weekly Issue 888
- Mach Recruitment Ltd v Oliveira
- Whistleblowing: Post-employment detriments can fall within scope of protections under the ERA
- New Employer Guidance on Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Published Statutory Leave for Parents of Premature and Sick Babies
Weekly Issue 887
- Ms A Wainwright v Cennox Plc [2023] EAT 101
- HMRC v Taylors Services Ltd and Others [2025] EWCA Civ 956
- EHRC Code of Practice Update Delayed Following For Women Scotland Ruling
Contract of employment
Weekly Issue 889
Equity and others v Talent Systems Europe Ltd (trading as Spotlight)
The High Court ruled Spotlight is not an employment agency under the Employment Agencies Act 1973, confirming its subscription platform is a marketing tool, not a job-finding service.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 889
AB v Grafters Group Ltd (t/a CSI Catering Services International)
The EAT ruled that employers may be liable for harassment outside work if there’s a strong link to employment, sending a sexual-harassment case back to the Tribunal.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 889
Employment Rights Bill: Commons Rejects Key Lords Amendments and Next Steps
The House of Commons has rejected Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, including changes on unfair dismissal, guaranteed hours, shift cancellations, and whistleblower protections—learn what happens next and why it matters for workers and unions.
Transfers of Undertakings
Weekly Issue 888
Mach Recruitment Ltd v Oliveira
The EAT held that consistent placement of agency staff can establish an “organised grouping” under TUPE, reinforcing protections in service provision changes.
Whistle-blowing
Weekly Issue 888
Whistleblowing: Post-employment detriments can fall within scope of protections under the ERA
The EAT confirmed whistleblowing protections can extend to post-employment detriments, but Dr Day’s appeal failed for lack of causal proof.
Maternity/Parental rights
Weekly Issue 888
New Employer Guidance on Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Published Statutory Leave for Parents of Premature and Sick Babies
From April 2027, parents will be entitled to up to 12 weeks’ paid neonatal care leave—new guidance explains how employers must prepare.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 888
Employment Rights Bill: Third Reading Scheduled
The Employment Rights Bill will have its third Lords reading on 3 September 2025, with Royal Assent expected by the end of the month.
Disciplinary and dismissal
Weekly Issue 887
Ms A Wainwright v Cennox Plc [2023] EAT 101
Discover how the Employment Appeal Tribunal revisited Ms Wainwright’s claims of constructive dismissal and disability discrimination, highlighting the crucial role of honesty, communication, and fair treatment of disabled employees.
National minimum wage and National living wage
Weekly Issue 887
HMRC v Taylors Services Ltd and Others [2025] EWCA Civ 956
The Court of Appeal ruled that home-to-work travel is not “working time” for NMW, raising concerns for low-paid mobile workers.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 887
EHRC Code of Practice Update Delayed Following For Women Scotland Ruling
The EHRC has postponed its updated Services Code to August 2025, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on “biological sex”—a development with major consequences for trans rights, employers, and service providers.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 887
Lords Approves Amendments in Third Sitting of Employment Rights Bill
The House of Lords advanced the Employment Rights Bill with new negotiating bodies, plans to regulate AI at work, reforms to non-compete clauses, and changes to union recognition thresholds—key measures expected from 2026.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 886
Parmar v LCC
A senior social worker has won her race discrimination case after being treated more harshly than others in similar roles, with no clear justification from her employer.