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 915
- London Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Garrett [2026] EAT 77
- EHRC draft services code laid before Parliament – equality law guidance updated
Weekly Issue 914
- DHL Services Ltd v Ignatowicz [2026] EAT 74
- Government moves to overhaul “broken” fit note system with pilots focused on keeping people in work
Weekly Issue 913
- Komeng v National Highways Ltd [2026] EAT 75
- Tribunal Reform Urged as Backlog Delays Justice for Workers
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 915
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Garrett [2026] EAT 77
EAT overturns belief discrimination ruling in Garrett v London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, confirming disciplinary action for workplace comments was based on conduct, not protected belief.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 915
EHRC draft services code laid before Parliament – equality law guidance updated
EHRC draft Services Code laid before Parliament in May 2026 updates Equality Act guidance for services and public bodies, reflecting recent case law on biological sex and discrimination.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 914
DHL Services Ltd v Ignatowicz [2026] EAT 74
An unfair dismissal case involving social media posts clarifies how tribunals should assess contributory conduct and reinstatement when employees publicly raise grievances online.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 914
Government moves to overhaul “broken” fit note system with pilots focused on keeping people in work
The government plans to overhaul the fit note system to improve support for staying in and returning to work, with pilots testing personalised plans and wider healthcare involvement.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 913
Komeng v National Highways Ltd [2026] EAT 75
Mr Komeng brought claims in the Employment Tribunal including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and less favourable treatment under the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002.
Employment tribunals and tribunal fees
Weekly Issue 913
Tribunal Reform Urged as Backlog Delays Justice for Workers
At the centre of the proposals is the introduction of compulsory mediation for all claims, alongside a fundamental restructuring of the tribunal system into three distinct tracks based on value and complexity.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 912
Mrs L Capeling v TFX Group Ltd
In order to establish that Mrs Capeling had made a qualifying disclosure she was required to show she had a genuine belief that the health and safety of any individual had been, was being or was likely to be endangered and that it was reasonable for her to hold that belief.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 912
Radical Reform Proposals Aim to Tackle Deepening Employment Tribunal Backlog
The Employment Lawyers Association has called for urgent and wide‑ranging reforms to the employment tribunal system, warning that delays are undermining access to justice for workers and employers alike amid a growing backlog of cases.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 911
Tarbuc v Martello Piling Ltd
Employers cannot use section 111A as a blanket shield to exclude evidence where claims are made in addition to unfair dismissal, such as unlawful deduction from wages claims, discrimination claims, detriment claims, or automatic unfair dismissal.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 911
Women and Equalities Committee launches inquiry into disabled people’s access to flexible working
Despite greater flexibility around hours, shift patterns and location, the disability employment gap remains entrenched.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 910
McMahon v AXA ICAS Ltd
This is a significant and novel decision for employees relying on permanent health insurance schemes and for employers who provide them. The judgment confirms that contractual PHI benefits may survive dismissal and can be enforced as “wages” under the ERA.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 910
Draft Regulations Propose Six‑Month Tribunal Time Limits
Draft regulations have been laid before Parliament that would extend the time limit for bringing the majority of employment tribunal claims from three months to six months.