Employment Law Newsletter – Summer 2024
It’s been another busy few months, dominated most recently by the general election.
The outcome was perhaps no surprise but with the Labour Government now in place, its New Deal for Working People, provides an indication of the changes ahead for employment rights although we have no other information about timings or details of the proposals themselves at the moment. We also have an idea of the new Government’s immigration policy.
As well as the general election, there have been important decisions on a wide range of issues including the importance of considering redeployment as an alternative to dismissal, whether renewal of a fixed-term contract after four years was objectively justified and whether or not unredacted financial documents should be disclosed in Employment Tribunal proceedings. We have also seen the publication of the CIPD’s Good Work Index 2024 which is an annual benchmark of good work or job quality in the UK.
Please do take a moment to consider the articles in this Summer newsletter, where we provide an update on a range of employment topics and pensions developments.
New Deal for Working People
Wide-ranging changes to employment rights are set out in Labour’s New Deal and these will “deliver the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation”.
UK Immigration policy – what next after Labour’s landslide victory?
Immigration is always a hot topic and never more so than in the run up to and just after a general election. What is, or could be in store for the UK following the general election?
Important to consider redeployment as an alternative to dismissal
Many employers are familiar with redeployment in the context of making reasonable adjustments but a recent EAT decision shows that redeployment is relevant to the fairness of a dismissal too.
Renewal of a fixed-term contract after four years could be justified
Where fixed-term contracts are used for four years or more, the employee becomes a permanent employee unless the employer can objectively justify the renewal, an issue recently considered by the EAT.
Disclosure of unredacted financial documents ordered
The EAT considers the issues that can arise during the disclosure process, particularly regarding disclosure of information which may harm a party’s case.
Update on Pensions Dashboards
The aim of Pensions Dashboards is to allow individuals to see their pensions information, including State Pension, at no cost, in one place online, as well as reuniting them with lost or forgotten pensions.
CIPD Good Work Index 2024
The Index is an annual benchmark of good work or job quality in the UK and the central focus of the 2024 report is conflict within the workplace, which, according to the Index, has largely fallen.
EAT agrees that a settlement agreement can settle future claims
The Employment Appeal Tribunal upholds the Employment Tribunal’s decision that a claim could be struck out as it had previously been waived in a valid settlement agreement.
No duty on Pension Fund Trustees to make moral judgments
It is not the duty of Trustees to make moral judgments about the suitability of someone receiving benefits from the Fund, but rather to decide if they fulfil the relevant criteria in the Fund Rules.
Team news
I am delighted to inform you that Hannah Waterworth in our Cardiff office was recently promoted to Associate. Congratulations Hannah, it is very well-deserved.
Webinar
Thank you to those who attended Blake Morgan’s recent Employment webinar – EDI – what is it, why is it important, and how to implement it?
If you were unable to attend, please click here to view the recording and please feel free to share this with any of your colleagues who might find this content useful. The webinar is part of our Employment webinar forum series and our next webinar will take place in the autumn. Details of the topics and speakers will be circulated nearer the time.
I hope you will find all the articles above informative and helpful, and if you would like any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual Blake Morgan contact.
In the meantime, best wishes for an enjoyable summer.
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