Employment Law Review Roundup

As the year draws to a close, we are taking the opportunity to reflect on the key developments we’ve covered this year in our Employment Law Review. It’s certainly been a busy year! 

The numerous developments have seen a shifting the landscape for workers, employers, and advocates alike, with more to come in 2025. Here’s a roundup of the key employment news we’ve covered in 2024: 

1. Next Workers Win Equal Pay Claims 

A major victory in equal pay disputes saw workers successfully challenge unfair practices, reinforcing the rights of employees to be paid equitably. This case sets a crucial precedent for workers across industries. 

2. Government Repeals Strikes Act to Strengthen Workers’ Rights and Public Services 

In a significant reversal, the government repealed the controversial Strikes Act, strengthening workers’ rights to collective action and supporting the resilience of public services through fair negotiation processes. 

3. New Legal Duty for Employers to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 

Employers now have a stronger obligation to actively prevent sexual harassment, building on changes to the Equality Act. This measure underscores the importance of workplace safety and respect for all employees. 

4. New Legislation on Tips Allocation Came Into Force 

Ensuring fairness for hospitality workers, new rules require employers to pass on all tips and service charges to staff. This legislation addresses long-standing inequities and guarantees workers their rightful earnings. 

5. New Accountability Measures for NHS Trust Leaders in Failing Hospitals 

This year saw the introduction of stricter measures to hold NHS trust leaders accountable for failings in patient care. These reforms aim to create a safer working environment for healthcare staff while addressing systemic issues that can compromise care standards. 

6. Government Takes Action to Curb Tax Avoidance by Umbrella Companies 

In a bid to tackle unfair working practices, the government introduced measures to combat tax avoidance schemes used by some umbrella companies. These actions signal progress towards better protections for agency workers often caught up in exploitative arrangements. 

7. Pension Pot Needed for Basic Retirement Soars by 60% 

With the cost of living continuing to rise, the financial burden of retirement has increased dramatically. We reported on the growing disparity between workers’ retirement savings and the soaring pension pot requirements for even a basic standard of living. 

A Spotlight on the Employment Rights Bill 

In August, we brought you a bumper edition of the Employment Law Review, exploring the key issues at stake in the Employment Rights Bill, including: 

• Trade Unions and Industrial Action – Strengthening workers' ability to organise and take collective action. 

• Day One Right Not to Be Unfairly Dismissed – Offering immediate protection to workers from unfair treatment. 

• Restrictions on Fire and Rehire – Curbing exploitative practices that leave workers vulnerable. 

• Thresholds for Redundancy Consultation – Lowering the bar for employers to engage with workers in redundancy situations. 

• Zero Hours Contracts and Predictability – Tackling the insecurity caused by zero-hours contracts by mandating more predictable work schedules.

• Right to Request Flexible Working by Default – Shifting the balance towards flexible working arrangements for all employees. 

Supreme Court Successes 

We recently updated you on a significant victory for the PCS union at the Supreme Court, where we successfully challenged the decision by several governmental agencies to remove Check-off payments. 
 
This judgment followed another successful ruling two weeks before, on behalf of the RMT and Unite, in which we defeated an appeal by Nexus over changes to union-negotiated agreements. This followed our success for USDAW in September over the Tesco ‘Fire and Rehire’ scheme. 

Case Studies 

Each issue we’ve featured case studies looking at a broad spectrum of employment law issues, from breach of contract, equal pay and whistleblowing cases, through to key equality, discrimination and harassment judgments from the year. You can search the Employment Law Review by topic here. 

Conclusion 

This year has underscored the importance of standing up for workers’ rights and ensuring fair treatment across all sectors.  With the new government and the Employment Rights Bill in progress 2025 promises to be another busy year.  At Thompsons, we remain committed to advocating for employees and holding employers to account. As we move into the new year, we’ll continue to monitor developments and fight for fairness and justice in every workplace. 

Here’s to building a better future together.