World Cup 2026: Top 10 HR Headaches
Whether you’re a football fan or not, if you work in HR or have responsibility for managing people, there is a good chance at least one World Cup-related issue will land on your desk over the coming weeks. With the tournament set to attract huge audiences across the UK and worldwide, normal workplace routines will […]
Zero Hours Contract Reforms Move Closer: Update for HR
The government has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to zero hours contracts, including new rights to guaranteed hours and compensation for cancelled shifts. While the measures remain subject to consultation, HR teams may already need to start assessing how the proposals could affect workforce planning, scheduling practices and the use of flexible labour. Much […]
Sponsor Right to Work Checks: Home Office Reverses Changes
Changes made to sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 appeared to suggest that sponsors could be responsible for carrying out right to work checks on a broader group of workers, including individuals engaged through contractors and labour supply arrangements. The wording prompted concern across the HR and immigration compliance community, particularly among organisations with […]
Fit Note Reform Pilots Launched in Return-to-Work Push
The Government has launched new fit note reform pilots as part of a wider effort to tackle long-term sickness absence and reduce economic inactivity. From July 2026, selected areas of England will begin testing alternative approaches to the current fit note system, with ministers arguing that the existing process places too much emphasis on certifying […]
Employment Law Changes in 2026: Explained for HR
April 2026 brought in a suite of employment law changes directly impacting HR operations, affecting onboarding, absence management, employee relations and workforce planning. As key provisions under the Employment Rights Act 2025 have now come into force, alongside associated statutory updates, many workplace rights now arise earlier in the employment relationship, meaning risks will now […]
Tougher Holiday Pay Record-Keeping Rules Now In Force
Recent developments in employment law enforcement are bringing renewed attention to how employers record and retain annual leave data. While the obligation to keep adequate records is not new, expectations have tightened in practice, particularly following the April 2026 employment law changes and the launch of the Fair Work Agency. The focus is shifting from […]
Sponsor Guidance Changes in March & April 2026
Note that the Home Office has reversed these changes, read our guide here > Home Office updates to sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 have introduced a more demanding compliance framework for organisations holding a sponsor licence. The changes affect right to work checks, how sponsored workers’ salary is assessed and evidenced, […]
Govt Confirms April Employment Law Changes in New Regulations
The Government has published commencement regulations bringing a number of provisions under the Employment Rights Act 2025 into force from April 2026. While not a full implementation of the Act, the changes coming into effect next month introduce immediate compliance obligations and increase exposure across several core employment risk areas. The Employment Rights Act 2025 […]
Fair Work Agency Advisory Board Appointed Ahead of April Launch
The government has confirmed the appointment of the inaugural Advisory Board for the new Fair Work Agency, ahead of its formal launch on 7 April 2026. The appointments mark a key step in the rollout of a centralised labour market enforcement body, bringing together multiple existing enforcement functions under a single structure. A new […]
Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Confirmed from April 2026
Legislation has now been published confirming the introduction of Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, a new statutory right that will take effect from 6 April 2026. The measure forms part of a broader package of family-related employment law reforms and is intended to address a gap in protection for employees who lose a partner shortly after […]