A historic September saw the country deal with the loss of its monarch, the government set out its budget plans, and the argument over strike action was raised to the United Nations (UN).
HR responsibilities during a mourning period
On 8 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II died after 70 years on the throne.
A 10-day mourning period followed whereby businesses were closed and sporting events were cancelled as the country had to deal with the death of its head of state for the first time since the 1950s.
IR35, strikes, tax cuts and energy price cap tackled in autumn mini-budget
The new Conservative government, formed after Boris Johnson's resignation in July 2022 and led by Liz Truss set out its financial priorities in the autumn mini-budget.
Then chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced plans to halt the 1.25% increase in national insurance which came into effect in April 2022, scrap the 45% top rate of income tax, and a £2,500 energy cap on yearly prices.
Kwarteng's replacement Jeremy Hunt would later backtrack on several aspects of the budget, including a proposed repeal of IR35 reforms. Jacob Rees-Mogg would also go on to introduce a bill ending the EU-based legislation the UK had kept since the Brexit.
UK set for collision course with UN over strike action
Following a summer of strikes, the UK government repealed a ban on companies using agency workers to cover for employees on strike.
In response, this led the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to report the government to the UN via the body's International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Best of HR magazine from September 2022:
The link between quiet quitting and toxic positivity
What HR needs to know about October’s digital right to work check changes
Benevolent sexism in the workplace – what it is and its impact on women
