Legislation/Regulation

Government guidance on engaging umbrella firms ‘basic at best’

The government has published guidance described by one commentator as “basic at best” for recruitment agencies, outlining responsibilities that employment businesses have when engaging umbrella companies.

Accounting/Finance 1 December 2023

Leicestershire care provider given slavery order from GLAA

The owner of a Leicestershire-based home care service provider has been handed a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).

Public sector, Social care 29 November 2023

Recruiters and businesses await the chancellor’s Autumn Statement

The Autumn Statement later today will have financial implications for recruiters and businesses alike.

Retail, Social care 22 November 2023

GLAA suspends its brief on treatment of holiday pay

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is suspending a new brief setting out a contentious position on the treatment of holiday pay and how to comply with their Licensing Standards.

13 November 2023

REC ‘disappointed’ on new consultation on using agency workers in strikes

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation has expressed “disappointment” at the government’s announcement of a consultation on removing the prohibition on use of agency workers in strikes.

Public sector, Transport & logistics 8 November 2023

Braverman appoints Lyons to vacant anti-slavery commissioner position

Eleanor Lyons, the current deputy children’s commissioner, has been appointed to take on the role of independent anti-slavery commissioner.

16 October 2023

Labour Party Conference: Labour details public spending plans for the workplace

SPCIAL TO RECRUITER: There were plenty of attention-grabbing moments at Labour’s party conference beyond a leader’s speech that literally sparkled.

13 October 2023

Dutch launch new law to protect temp workers

The Dutch government this week has proposed a new law to regulate the provision of temporary workers by intermediaries, such as employment agencies or payroll companies, including employers of record (EORs) and platforms.

HR 13 October 2023

New government programme offers refugees new work and integration skills

Refugees – including those from Syria, Iran, Eritrea and Sudan – can now apply to a new government programme to gain the skills they need to enter the UK job market and lead independent lives, the government has announced.

21 September 2023

Pensions and zero hours come into focus with new bills

Two employment-related bills have received Royal Assent this week, one affecting pensions and the other improving the rights of millions of workers to have a say over their working patterns.

21 September 2023

Fines to treble for rogue employers hiring illegal workers

Employers will face newly trebled fines of up to £60k for each worker they hire illegally under “the biggest shake-up since 2014” on penalties imposed on rogue employers and landlords.

Retail, Social care 7 August 2023

Agency staff cannot fill in for striking workers says High Court

The High Court has ruled this morning [13 July 2023] that employers can no longer use agency staff to fill in for striking workers during industrial action.

Legal 13 July 2023

Worker education for contractors needed, umbrella industry tells government

Educating contractors and freelancers was a major theme for companies submitting comment to the current government consultation, it emerged on Tuesday at the FCSA Forum in Manchester.

13 July 2023

Man sentenced for human trafficking and modern slavery offences

A Romanian man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to human trafficking, forced labour and exploitation offences.

Legal 11 July 2023

Critical issues in digital hiring

An end-to-end digital hiring experience raises issues of exclusion and dangers from AI. Sue Weekes investigates.

Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms 6 July 2023

Employers must audit bias in AI hiring tools in New York City

A new law in one part of the US that regulates the use of AI in hiring is only now being enforced.

Legal, IT/Telecoms 6 July 2023

Government calls for industry input on umbrella consultation

The government has this week published a consultation on policy options to regulate umbrella companies and to tackle non-compliance in the umbrella company market.

7 June 2023

Consultation to clean up umbrella industry needs more work, says industry

While generally welcoming the latest government consultation around umbrella companies, voices in the recruitment and umbrella sector have also issued warnings about possible pitfalls that could result.

7 June 2023

REC calls proposed NI agency social workers ban 'badly thought out'

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) is calling for urgent clarity on a proposed ‘ban’ on agency social workers in Northern Ireland, a plan the trade body called “badly thought out”.

Public sector, Social care 1 June 2023

GLAA signs landmark agreements with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan to further protect workers

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has signed agreements with the governments of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to strengthen the protections for workers arriving in the UK.

Agriculture 30 May 2023

Amazon launches school holiday flexible contracts for full-time staff

Amazon has launched a new contract that offers parents, grandparents and guardians of school-age children the choice to work term-time only.

Retail, Transport & logistics 30 May 2023

REC urges Badenoch to consult with business over new employment legislation

The government has halted plans to ditch all remaining EU laws by the end of the year and is taking a more focused approach to reform.

16 May 2023

Government plans to reduce regulation for businesses

Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch MP has announced an initial package of regulatory reform that she says “will reduce unnecessary regulation for businesses, cutting costs and allowing them to compete”.

11 May 2023

Resolution Foundation report highlights ‘minimum level dignity’ at work

A new report on low pay in the UK by think tank the Resolution Foundation calls for a “minimum level dignity” at work.

HR 19 April 2023

Government review aims to boost work prospects for autistic people

A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people has been launched by the government this week.

6 April 2023