Employment Law Updates

Employment law is continually changing.

We keep track of the latest employment law changes so you don't have to, and on this page you will find our regular round-up of legislation.

This timetable outlines the recent major changes to UK employment legislation, and what's expected in the future.

To be confirmed
Introduction of neonatal care leave and pay

If their child needs newborn care, eligible parents may take up to 12 weeks of leave under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill. If they fulfil further qualifying requirements, they will also be qualified for neonatal care pay. This right is in addition to already-existing ones like maternity leave.

On 15 July 2022, the government declared its support for the private members' bill.

According to the bill's explanatory notes, assuming all parliamentary steps are successfully completed in 2023, the bill is anticipated to take effect 18 months later.

To be confirmed
Length of time before employment continuity is interrupted is extended

The time required to break a period of continuous service extends from one week to four weeks.

Employees' eligibility for statutory employment rights will be unaffected by gaps in service of up to four weeks with an employer.

According to the government's Good Work Plan, the additional time will make it simpler for workers who do sporadic work for the same employer over an extended period of time to access their rights.

To be confirmed
Bill on minimum service levels during strikes
On 20 October 2022, the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill was tabled in Parliament, and it is slated to go into effect in 2023. If passed, it would mean:
  • Employers and trade unions must agree on a minimum service level during three months of transportation strikes.
  • Remove protection from automatic unfair dismissal for any employees named in the agreement who strike during that time period.
  • Employers may be able to get a court injunction prohibiting a strike if certain employees go on strike.
Strikes may be declared illegal if a union fails to take reasonable efforts to prevent designated employees from striking (enabling civil actions against the union with possible liability of up to £1 million).
Following that, there will be a public consultation on how the law would function in detail.
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