Top 10 Employment Law Articles From September 2023

Today, we’re discussing some of our most-read topics from September 2023 concerning employment law. We provide a short overview of each, with easy-to-follow links to read the entire article.

1. Workers Bill Receives Royal Assent: Better Working Patterns to Come! – With roughly 1.18 million people working under zero-hour contracts, reforms have been long awaited. These reforms aim to give people more control over their working agreements. Now that the Workers Bill has received the Royal Assent, it seems this issue will be addressed.
2. Bernard Looney Was Not Transparent About His Past Relationships – BP CEO Resigns – After just four years in his role, Bernard Looney resigned as the CEO of BP. Although an initial review was conducted in 2022, additional information subsequently came to light that forced this decision.
3. Retired Anaesthetist’s Letter to The Times Sparks Outrage Among Netizens – Following a report about the prevalence of sexual harassment in the NHS, a retired anaesthetist garnered controversy with his response. This led to an uproar on social media and his past colleagues speaking out.
4. Goldman Sachs Faces £1m Lawsuit After Reports of Workplace Bullying Surfaces – With a court date set for December 2023, we look at what a former employee is bringing against Goldman Sachs. It’s stated that the lawsuit involves workplace bullying. We explore the case’s specifics and what workplace bullying is should someone else need to make a similar claim.
5. Birmingham City Council Bankruptcy: How Did They Get There and What Happens Next? – Seeing a local council declare itself bankrupt may not be commonplace, but this is not the first time. Due to several large bills, bankruptcy is now Birmingham City Council’s position. Although unlikely to affect statutory services, other non-essentials could be.
6. 59% of Black Candidates Worry That Wearing Their Hair “Naturally” Will Lead to Discrimination at Work – Despite the progression with diversity, equity and inclusivity company directives, more can be done. Research has found that some individuals with afro-textured hair believe this will negatively affect their careers. This has led to some changing their hair texture or even wearing wigs.
7. Four Day Workweek and Hybrid Working are Among the Top Reasons Employees Would Move Jobs – In a post-covid working world, a recent study by Hays outlines what employees want most in 2023. Several forms of flexible working are suggested, but all point to more autonomy regarding work. Workplace incentives to entice employees back into the office are also discussed, but not many employers seem to offer them.
8. UK Heatwave Strikes Again: What to Do When It’s Too Hot to Work – The heatwave during early September brought about an amber alert by the Met Office. Although employees can’t refuse work just because of the heat, they have employment law rights, and steps can be taken if they’re breached. Furthermore, there are things people can do to stay safe during such conditions.
9. Sleep Deprivation: Average UK Worker is Getting Less Than 6 Hours, Survey Reveals – Nuffield Health published its 2023 Healthier Nation Index, highlighting that UK workers are getting less sleep than NHS recommendations. It also shows a decline from the previous year. The findings outline concerns about UK worker’s productivity and well-being.
10. TUC Launches AI Taskforce; Says UK is Behind The Curve on AI Regulation – Rapid advancements in AI technology have seen international regulation from the likes of the EU. However, the UK has fallen behind, and experts are worried this could lead to discrimination in the workplace. Because of this, TUC has launched an AI task force to address the current shortfalls.

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