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.
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Latest Issues
Weekly Issue 921
- Acas is consulting on updating its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures which was last updated in 2009
- Does an employment tribunal have to consider the human right to freedom of expression when considering an employee’s dismissal?
- Ongoing consultation on ‘Zero-Hours’ Contracts provisions under ERA 25 - Workers Set for New Rights Under Government Plans
Weekly Issue 920
- Does a worker have to request a right to be accompanied even if the employer does not tell them the purpose of the meeting?
- Government publishes Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting ahead of 2026 reforms
- Government launches long awaited consultation on the current equal pay regime-
Weekly Issue 919
- Government publishes response to Consultation on Trade Union Access and lays draft Regulations and Code of Practice before Parliament
- Did a clause requiring an employee to pay back the training fee amount to a restraint of trade?
- Government launches review of the employment rights of unpaid carers almost three years after the Carers Leave Act was passed.
Disciplinary and dismissal
Weekly Issue 921
Acas is consulting on updating its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures which was last updated in 2009
Acas has launched a consultation on a new disciplinary and grievance Code of Practice, proposing greater emphasis on early dispute resolution, workplace mediation and fair procedures. Find out what the changes could mean for employers and workers.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 921
Does an employment tribunal have to consider the human right to freedom of expression when considering an employee’s dismissal?
Employment Appeal Tribunal confirms tribunals need not consider Article 10 freedom of expression unless clearly pleaded in an unfair dismissal claim.
Zero hours contracts
Weekly Issue 921
Ongoing consultation on ‘Zero-Hours’ Contracts provisions under ERA 25 - Workers Set for New Rights Under Government Plans
Government consultation on Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms for zero-hours and low-hours contracts, including guaranteed hours, shift notice and worker protections.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 920
Does a worker have to request a right to be accompanied even if the employer does not tell them the purpose of the meeting?
Employment Appeal Tribunal confirms the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary hearing only arises when a worker makes a request, highlighting a key gap in workplace protections under section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999.
Trade union information
Weekly Issue 920
Government publishes Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting ahead of 2026 reforms
Learn about the new Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting, introducing e-balloting for trade unions from 25 August 2026.
Equality, discrimination and harassment
Weekly Issue 920
Government launches long awaited consultation on the current equal pay regime-
The Government has launched a consultation on equal pay reforms, including race and disability pay discrimination, transparency and enforcement.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 920
Enforcing holiday pay
Learn how the Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms holiday pay, employer record-keeping duties and new enforcement powers from 2027.
Trade union information
Weekly Issue 919
Government publishes response to Consultation on Trade Union Access and lays draft Regulations and Code of Practice before Parliament
Discover how the Government’s updated trade union workplace access code strengthens workers’ rights, improves union access and supports fair representation at work.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 919
Did a clause requiring an employee to pay back the training fee amount to a restraint of trade?
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a training repayment clause requiring an employee to repay £8,108 on leaving employment was an unenforceable restraint of trade, with important implications for employers and trade unions.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 919
Government launches review of the employment rights of unpaid carers almost three years after the Carers Leave Act was passed.
The government has launched a consultation on carers’ leave and support for parents of seriously ill children, exploring potential reforms including paid carers’ leave, extended leave entitlements and stronger workplace rights.
Unfair dismissal
Weekly Issue 918
How should the Acas uplift be applied in high value discrimination cases?
Employment Appeal Tribunal confirms that tribunals may consider the overall size of a compensation award when applying an Acas uplift and have discretion in addressing tax gross-up issues in unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claims.
Employment rights
Weekly Issue 918
The Government responds to the consultation on setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSNB) and sets out its proposal as to who will be in scope.
The Government has confirmed the scope of the new School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), covering pay, terms and conditions for school support staff in England, while excluding agency workers from sector-wide bargaining arrangements.