12 months of 2023: May

In May, the government opened an IR35 consultation, research revealed AI was being widely used for admin tasks and the amendments to the controversial strike bill were voted down.

12 months of 2023: April

As we reach the end of the year, our 12 days of Christmas countdown revisits the key events of each month.

Spotify layoffs consequence of over-hiring epidemic, say experts

Spotify’s mass redundancies are the consequence of an over-hiring epidemic which became commonplace in the tech sector following covid, according to HR and technology experts.

New migration rules will worsen labour shortages

Measures set by government designed to cut migration are likely to exacerbate labour shortages, particularly in the care and hospitality sectors, according to experts.

Umbrella company guidance is lip service, say experts

The government has come under fire after publishing guidance on umbrella companies deemed inadequate by payroll experts.

Asos is right to drop DEI targets – but for all the wrong reasons

Asos has announced that bosses will no longer need to meet diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) targets in order to receive annual bonuses. Instead, bonuses will hinge on the fashion giant meeting...

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Dyslexic employee wins tribunal after bosses mocked writing

A former charity employee who has dyslexia was discriminated against and unfairly dismissed, a tribunal has judged.

Birmingham City Council’s discriminatory pay practices are indicative of widespread problems

The fundamentally simple idea of paying women and men equally for doing equal work should be hard-wired into every employer; not just private companies, but also public bodies.

How to avoid a Christmas party crisis

Work Christmas parties can be a fun way to celebrate the holidays, or a recipe for disaster. How can HR make sure festive cheer doesn’t turn sour?

Menopausal bus driver loses disability claim

A bus driver’s menopausal symptoms did not qualify as a disability, and her claims of unfair constructive dismissal and discrimination were rejected by the tribunal.

P&O Cruises owner flip-flops on fire and rehire

Cruise operator Carnival UK was embroiled in a fire and rehire controversy last week (23 November), after it made legal provision to fire more than 900 UK-based crew and rehire them on less favourable...

Breaking the silence: a spotlight on employees with hearing difficulties

Have you ‘heard’ that deafness and hearing loss are more prevalent than we think? Perhaps not, because it is rarely discussed in the media or the workplace.