Reports that temporary workers are systematically exploited and underpaid is 'wide off the mark', according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

The health secretary Andy Burnham must introduce measures to ease the pressure on small businesses as a result of the swine flu pandemic, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Private insurance companies could pay out benefits such as unemployment and sickness instead of the Government, according to a report into the industry.

The economic downturn has led to a 22% rise in unfair dismissal claims.

One in five businesses is unaware of the Government's suggestions for reducing illness and disability in the workplace.

A swine flu pandemic could lead contracts to be "meaningless", a legal expert has said.

Employers have been warned they could face legal action if they let staff know of their dismissal in writing - because staff can claim they did not know their contract had ended.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has faced criticism for rehiring seven senior staff on consultancy contracts just months after they took voluntary redundancy packages.

The TUC has condemned the 5,000 fine on the man providing employers with illegal blacklists as "totally inadequate".

As instances of swine flu double, employers could face legal action under health and safety legislation if they do not adequately protect staff from the virus, according to legal experts.

The case demanding the banning of compulsory retirement at age 65 starts today in the High Court.

The Guardian reported last week that Robert Murdoch's News Group, which owns the Sun and News of The World, is alleged to have paid out more than 700,000 to settle legal cases that threatened to...