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HR / Employment Law News

BrewDog redundancies

Managing large-scale redundancies: Lessons from BrewDog

Following 5 consecutive years of losses, craft beer brand BrewDog became insolvent on 2 March 2026 and has been acquired by US company Tilray Brands. Under the pre-pack administration sale, 38 UK bars were immediately closed, nearly 500 roles were made redundant and over 700 roles were transferred to the new owners. Employees received 25 minutes’ notice of a 15-minute call that ended their employment and the handling of the redundancies has drawn significant attention from both media and unions

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5th March 2026
Business woman calculating PILON payments

What is PILON? Employer Guide to Payment in Lieu of Notice

When an employee exits an organisation, one area that frequently causes confusion is payment in lieu of notice (PILON) and if not applied correctly, it can lead to breach of contract claims, tax errors and costly disputes. For many employers, questions often begin with: What is PILON and how does payment in lieu of notice work? This practical guide explains what PILON is, when it applies and how to calculate payment in lieu of notice. It also highlights the key

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25th February 2026
disciplinary hearing

Disciplinary Procedure: Step-by-Step Guide

When handled poorly, disciplinary action can damage employee relations and expose organisations to costly, time-consuming tribunal claims. Understanding the disciplinary procedure is essential for employers who want to reduce legal risks and maintain fairness in the workplace. This blog provides an overview of how to ensure fair disciplinary proceedings in the workplace, from investigations and hearings to outcomes and appeals. It also highlights common employer mistakes, legal risks and best-practice guidance under the Acas disciplinary procedure to help reduce the

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19th February 2026
SSP reform

Preparing for Statutory Sick Pay Changes: A Guide for Employers

On 6 April 2026, we will see one of the biggest reforms of statutory sick pay (SSP) in over a decade under the Employment Rights Act 2025. Whilst these changes will enhance employee entitlements and strengthen financial support for workers, they will bring substantial implications for employers and HR / payroll teams. What’s changing? The changes are designed to protect workers from financial hardship during sickness absence and boost long-term productivity: The 3-day waiting period will be removed so SSP

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3rd February 2026
Holiday pay for zero-hours contracts

Holiday Pay & Zero-Hours Contracts: An Employer’s Guide

Navigating holiday pay for zero-hours contracts is often complicated. However, these workers are entitled to paid holiday just like everyone else so getting it right is important to avoid disputes, tribunal claims and reputational risk. For UK employers, holiday pay for zero-hours contracts can be one of the most misunderstood areas of employment law, particularly when dealing with irregular hours workers. In this article, we explain how holiday pay should be calculated for zero-hours workers and highlight the key areas of

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28th January 2026
neurodiversity in the workplace

Managing the Rise of Neurodiversity in the Workplace

The number of employees identifying as neurodivergent in the workplace, particularly those with ADHD and autism, is continuing to rise. This is largely driven by an increase in late diagnoses during adulthood and employees feeling comfortable in disclosing their condition. The increased awareness has seen a significant rise in tribunal claims now employees are more confident in challenging workplace discrimination, placing an increased responsibility on employers to ensure workplaces are inclusive, productive, supportive and legally complaint. In this article we

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20th January 2026
employment law changes 2026

Employment Law Changes Coming in 2026: What Employers Need to Know

This year marks a major shift in the employment law landscape with many significant reforms coming into force under the Employment Rights Act 2025. These changes will no doubt bring major implications for employers. Here’s our quick guide of what’s changing and when, and what action employers should take to prepare. FEBRUARY 2026 Trade Unions Minimum service level rules for strikes in certain essential sectors such as education, health and transport were removed on 18 December 2025. New rules on

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13th January 2026
managing religion at work

Faith-Friendly Workplaces – Balancing Flexibility with Fairness

As UK workplaces become increasingly diverse, it is important for organisations to ensure they remain inclusive and fair, and to foster an environment where all employees feel respected, especially when it comes to managing religion at work. This blog outlines the actionable steps to create work environments that respect religious beliefs while balancing flexibility with fairness. Requests for Time-off Managing religion at work often means employers may need to consider having some flexibility in their procedures for requesting time off, in

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16th December 2025
sexist culture at fire station

Firefighter who failed to intervene in sexist culture loses unfair dismissal claim

Simon Bailey, a former Watch Manager for Avon Fire & Rescue Service has lost his claim of unfair dismissal after resigning over a disciplinary process which found he did not intervene in workplace conflict and a culture of sexism, despite it being his role to challenge unacceptable behaviour. Background A grievance was raised by a female firefighter who alleged sexism and bullying in the workplace, including the use of outdated language, sexist remarks and harassment on the grounds of sex

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4th December 2025
Managing Multi-Generational Teams

Managing Multi-Generational Teams: Bridging Communication and Motivation Gaps

Today’s workplace is more diverse than ever with four generations collaborating side by side in a multi-generational workforce. Bringing these generations together can create a dynamic mix of experience, creativity and innovation. However, it can also present challenges if differing values and communication styles clash. In this blog, we explore how employers can effectively manage multi-generational teams by understanding their differences and adopting strategies to strengthen teamwork and drive productivity. The Challenges Each generation within a multi-generational workplace has been

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25th November 2025

Pub chain fined £25k for failing to adjust its disciplinary procedure for a neurodiverse employee

The Claimant, who is autistic and disabled under the Equality Act 2010, was employed by Wetherspoons as a kitchen porter at The Albany Palace pub in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. He unknowingly breached the employee discount policy to pay for a family meal and was awarded more than £25,000 following his employer’s failure to make reasonable adjustments.  Background On 12 August 2023, the Claimant used his staff discount for a family meal of six, unaware of his employer’s policy limiting discounts to

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19th November 2025
personality profiling

Personality Profiling & Assessments – Getting Them Right Ethically and Legally

Personality profiling and psychometric assessments have become powerful tools for recruitment, team development and leadership growth. However, these tools also carry ethical and legal responsibilities that employers must carefully navigate. This blog examines the ethical use of personality testing in the workplace, balancing its benefits for recruitment and team development with risks like bias and privacy concerns. It highlights best practice to ensure fairness, transparency and responsible application. Balancing Benefits & Risks Personality profiling for recruitment can help employers match individuals

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13th November 2025
exit interviews, employee experience, employee retention

The Power of Goodbye: Turning Exit Interviews into Strategic Insights

When an employee leaves an organisation, exit interviews are often seen as the final administrative step in the offboarding process. But in reality, they’re one of the most valuable tools an organisation has for understanding employee experience, workplace culture, and the true causes of staff turnover, ultimately improving employee retention. In this blog we discover how thoughtful exit interviews can uncover the real reasons behind staff turnover, reveal patterns in employee experience and inform employers with strategic insights for long-term

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4th November 2025
value of older employees

Too Old to Hire? Why Employers Should Value Experienced Talent

While young professionals entering the job market may possess the strong tech and digital skills suited to today’s modern workplace, experience remains one of the most valuable assets an organisation can bring on board. This article explores the unique value that older employees offer and why overlooking them can be a missed opportunity. The Value of Experience Employers are finding that young workers often lack the critical soft skills required for workplace collaboration and efficiency. Older employees, regardless of their

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28th October 2025
AI in HR

AI in HR: Friend or Foe for Employee Relations?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming workplaces at lightning speed and HR is no exception. From automating recruitment to streamlining performance management, AI promises efficiency. But what does it mean for employee relations? As a business owner or employer, finding the right balance between technology and human connection is critical to loyalty, culture and overall business performance. In this article we explore the advantages and potential drawbacks of AI in HR. The Friend AI can serve as a powerful tool for

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21st October 2025

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