Employment law
What the Supreme Court's decision in For Women Scotland's appeal means
Front page news rarely does statutory interpretation make, writes Joshua King, but the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers was different.
Intersectionality and what Section 14 of the Equality Act means for legally vulnerable workers
Workers in labour intensive jobs are exposed to discrimination because of their race, religion, nationality, or ethnic origins - but what if several protected characteristics come into play at once?
Here are 7 keys issues lying ahead for employment law and hospitality in 2025 including unfair dismissal
With 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for employment law across the UK - including here in Scotland - employment law specialists Jillian McLaughlan and Debbie Fellows talk through seven key issues.
Neonatal care leave
The UK Government has made a new right to neonatal care leave and pay effective from 6 April 2025 and is expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents.
Careless talk costs employers?
Although the vast majority of employees will respect workplace privacy, covert recordings can pose a distinct threat to employers.
It’s been quite the year
Robert Holland, Head of Employment Law at Aberdein Considine, provides the Journal with a look back at what was a momentous year for employment law and highlights what is on the horizon for 2025.
How does the workplace impact productivity?
In 2016, the Stoddart Review was the first major analysis of the impact of the workplace on productivity. In the legal industry, where every minute counts, understanding how workplace changes impact productivity and client interactions is crucial.
Not just a big day for employment lawyers
Thursday, 10th October 2024 – hailed by many employment lawyers as their “Christmas morning” – marked the publication of the Employment Rights Bill. The UK Government has called it the most significant overhaul of employment law in a generation. While the Bill does propose sweeping changes, it falls short of some of the more ambitious reforms outlined in Labour’s manifesto.
Sporting impact
Will football follow rugby from the pitch to the court when it comes to brain injuries? Football’s Bill Gates, the 1970s Middlesborough defensive stalwart, may not be as well-known as his Microsoft co-founder’s namesake, but in common with him, his legacy could have a profound and lasting impact.
A re-statement of best practice?
The code of practice on dismissal and re-engagement came into force in July. Is the code at best a useful aide-mémoire for employers with a potential educative effect for employees and smaller employers without HR and legal advice backing? Or perhaps the code’s terms have the potential for more far-reaching and potentially unintended consequences?
A contract consultation
It has been six years since the SLC Review on Contract Law Report was published. This consultation seeks to establish whether the landscape around this area of the law has changed, and, if yes, then whether the changes are material to the recommendations contained in the report.
Intersectional analysis of disadvantage
When referring to the notion that experiences of discrimination and disadvantage cannot necessarily be directed to a single personal characteristic but, rather, the interaction of multiple characteristics, the term ‘Intersectionality’ is often used. Despite this, our anti-discrimination law permits claims of discrimination or harassment to be brought on singular grounds only.
How can employers do more?
Two major retailers pledged to stop sexual harassment in the workplace through a s23 agreement with the EHRC.
Is it fit for purpose?
It has been almost 10 years since the introduction of shared parental leave, so let’s explore why the uptake of this provision is still so low.
We must do more
The number of women taking action against their employers for menopause-related discrimination is rising. But are law firms and in-house teams doing enough to support their own employees coping with the 30+ potential symptoms?
ARCHIVE: Law under lockdown
It’s March 2020 and the country begins to shut down, with the profession becoming agile overnight – what impact did it have back then, and how has that shaped the way we work now?
Long-term sickness plagues Scotland
The number of people off on long-term sick is nearly at pandemic peak levels – employment lawyers share their experiences.