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.
Employment rights
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 907
Tightening Tipping Laws
This article explores how tipping laws in the UK have changed since October 2024 and what further reforms the government is now proposing. It looks at how new consultation requirements could affect employers, workers and trade unions in deciding how tips are distributed.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 907
Boateng v Moss Bros Group Limited [2026] EAT 50
A former employee of Moss Bros Group Ltd had his discrimination claims struck out due to long delays and missing witnesses, and the Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld the decision, confirming that a fair trial requirement can justify strike-out even where delay wasn’t caused by either party.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 907
Government Sets Out Enforcement Strategy for New Fair Work Agency
The new Fair Work Agency will bring together multiple enforcement functions to improve compliance with employment rights, with a phased expansion of powers and increased scrutiny on employers expected from 2026 onwards.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 906
Employment Rights Act 2025: Phase Two Workplace Rights Implemented in April 2026
New provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 coming into force in April 2026 will strengthen rights for workers and trade unions. We explain the key changes and what they mean in practice for workplaces across the UK.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 906
K J v British Council [2026] EAT 46
In K J v British Council [2026] EAT 46, the EAT overturned compensation reductions and confirmed that harassment can be a continuing act for limitation purposes. It emphasises that tribunals must consider what would have happened if discrimination had not occurred.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 905
Regulations laid to enable Fair Work Agency to carry out enforcement actions from 7 April 2026
New regulations confirm that the Fair Work Agency will begin exercising labour market enforcement powers from 7 April 2026, as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025. The update clarifies the transfer of key enforcement functions and investigatory powers.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 905
The proposed changes to the law on Fire and Rehire under the Employment Rights Act 2025.
The article explains that fire-and-rehire dismissals can be lawful when an employer demonstrates a legitimate and sound business reason for changing contractual terms and shows that it acted reasonably in relying on that reason when implementing the changes.
Employment tribunals and tribunal fees
Weekly Issue 902
Chand v EE Ltd: [2026] EAT 17
Ms Elizabeth Chand, a Senior Customer Advisor with 16 years’ service, was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct following four incidents which EE believed involved fraud. The Employment Tribunal (ET) found no reasonable basis for a belief in fraud in any of the allegations and that a finding of gross misconduct was outside the range of reasonable response.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 902
Significant reforms under the Employment Rights Act come into force 18th February
The 18 February 2026 saw the first reforms on trade union collective rights come into force.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 902
New rules on claiming Statutory Sick Pay come into force on 6 April 2026
As part of its Plan to Make Work Pay the Government set out its commitment to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay on the basis of its belief that no one should be “forced to choose between their health and financial hardship.”
Contract of employment
Weekly Issue 901
Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom: [2026] EWCA Civ 6
Mr Groom volunteered as a Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) from 1985. In May 2020, he attended a disciplinary hearing, following which he was dismissed.
Maternity/Parental rights
Weekly Issue 901
Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave: Regulations Coming into Force on 6 April 2026
The government has confirmed that new Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave provisions will take effect from 6 April 2026.