News and Insights

Welcome to our News and Insights section. Here we’ll talk about the latest legal developments with our articles and videos. You can browse or search by practice area or sector. We’ll also let you know about changes at our firm including the expansion into new practice areas, sectors and locations.



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Amanda Lennon comments on workplace wellbeing in HR Management magazine

With more businesses trying to ensure they provide a great wellbeing culture for both current and potential employees, an...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 31 May 2023



People Management features Fudia Smartt comments on banning alcohol at work events

HR experts and employment lawyers contributed their thoughts to a People Magazine article about the recent warning from the...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 22 May 2023



Amanda Lennon comments on handling difficult employee behaviour in Business Leader

Handling difficult behaviour from employees calls for a compassionate and skilled approach from managers and leaders.  Our...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 19 May 2023



Fudia Smartt featured in Business Insider report on CBI collapse

With a series of serious misconduct accusations coming to light at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and further...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 4 May 2023



Rukhsana Alam writes about supporting employees through Ramadan in People Management

With Ramadan currently being observed throughout the world, fasting through daylight hours can present challenges for employees...


Press | Employment Law | Commercial
Posted: 29 Mar 2023



Fudia Smartt writes about the Gary Lineker BBC Twitter storm in the HR Director

When TV presenter Gary Lineker recently expressed his opinion about the government's latest immigration policy on Twitter there...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 28 Mar 2023



Fudia Smartt comments on insurance risks of work from anywhere in People Management

With the increase in hybrid working since the pandemic, many businesses are now offering a work from anywhere (WFA) approach....


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 15 Mar 2023



Fudia Smartt quoted in People Management on the impact of NHS SSP rule changes on workers with long Covid.

The NHS changed the rules of their special sick pay (SSP) during the pandemic which allowed workers with long Covid to continue...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 6 Feb 2023



Emma Gross writes about retaining staff during the cost-of-living crisis in HR News

With the cost of living crisis impacting all our lives, businesses are finding many employees are searching for better pay and...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 17 Jan 2023



Emma Gross writes about bossware in the HR Director magazine

With the increase in remote working, employers have been looking at ways to monitor employee performance and...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 6 Jan 2023



Amanda Lennon discusses strikes across the UK with WION News

WION News invited Spencer West Employment Law Partner and HR Director Amanda Lennon to discuss the impact of strike action...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 20 Dec 2022



People Management Magazine features Fudia Smartt on redundancy matters

With the news of several big name companies announcing redundancies, many businesses are having to consider reducing their...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 15 Nov 2022



Fudia Smartt discusses regulations for tackling toxic work cultures in the HR Director magazine.

Focusing on highly regulated firms such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA),...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 7 Oct 2022



Fudia Smartt comments on workplace bullying in the Financial Times

Should employers be doing more to stamp out bullying in the workplace? The Financial Times looks into the issues and dynamics...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 4 Oct 2022



Spencer West Employment Partner Justin Murray asks - Are work event policies becoming too “woke” or are employers just being asked to “be considerate”?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, employees became accustomed to working from home, and that has continued for many either fully...


News | Press | Employment Law
Posted: 13 Sep 2022



Amanda Lennon discusses work from home and flexible working with Nigel Farage on GB News

"Is working from home now almost becoming a right?" That was the question posed to Employment Partner and HR and Wellbeing...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 21 Jul 2022



CASE STUDY: Success for Justin Murray in financial services case of unfair dismissal and race discrimination

Employment Law Specialist and Partner Justin Murray instructing Carolyn D’Souza (leading Andrew Watson) of 12 Kings...


News | Employment Law
Posted: 8 Jul 2022



Fudia Smartt comments on LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination

Even with improvements towards acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, there are still continued reports of workplace...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 29 Jun 2022



Emma Gross comments on the recording of employment tribunals in The Financial Times

Employment tribunals don't currently allow for means of recording or transcription, relying instead on note-taking by the...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 14 Jun 2022



Monkeypox – Judith Rhule outlines issues for employers

As cases of monkeypox increase in the UK and around the world, how should employers react? Our employment partner Judith Rhule...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 27 May 2022



Amanda Lennon discusses how to negotiate a pay rise with Mirror

National newspaper The Mirror explores how employees should approach asking for a pay rise. The article includes contributions...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 20 May 2022



Anne Mannix comments on supporting employees with rising inflation

Inflation is at the highest level in 40 years and the cost of living crisis is starting to bite for many households. Leading HR...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 19 May 2022



Amanda Lennon discusses Goldman Sachs unlimited holiday policy with GB News

Investment bank Goldman Sachs has said its senior staff will be allowed to take as much holiday as they want, in a new...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 18 May 2022



Redeploying older workers - legal issues to consider

Many older workers are remaining in the workplace for longer and employers are keen to retain their skills and experience,...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 13 May 2022



Emma Gross discusses politics and workplace discrimination with HR Director Magazine

World politics can lead to heightened emotions at work, which may lead to claims of bullying or harassment. Our employment...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 10 May 2022



Amanda Lennon discusses HR implications of HRT shortage

The HRT shortage in the UK could mean that many women will experience debilitating perimenopause and menopause symptoms, which...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 5 May 2022



Fudia Smartt welcomes proposals to record employment tribunals

Employment tribunals that are conducted remotely could soon be recorded. HR Magazine covers the story, and our employment...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 27 Apr 2022



Anne Mannix discusses one year of IR35 with tech publication UKTN

IR35 – the off-payroll working rules – have been in force for a year. Tech news site UKTN considers the impact on tech...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 19 Apr 2022



Justin Murray discusses neurodiversity and hybrid workplaces

Hybrid working is now widespread due to extended periods of remote working during the pandemic. While the flexibility is...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 17 Mar 2022



Bryony Irvine joins Law Society Gazette discussion on hybrid working during the pandemic

When the first lockdown started in March 2020 the world of work changed overnight. Remote working impacted workers in diverse...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 14 Mar 2022



International Women’s Day and the gender pay gap

Businesses with a gender pay gap that shared posts about International Women’s Day were targeted by a twitter bot, which...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 14 Mar 2022



SRA guidance on law firm culture

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) recently published guidance on workplace environments in law firms which highlights...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 10 Mar 2022



Amanda Lennon discusses how to ask for a pay rise with Daily Mirror

International Women’s Day has again shone a light on the issue of the gender pay gap, and an article in the Daily Mirror...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 10 Mar 2022



London tube strike: Amanda Lennon outlines what HR teams need to know

Commuters in London have faced disruption this week due to a strike involving 10,000 tube workers. Issues like this require a...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 4 Mar 2022



COVID-19: changes to risk assessments, testing and self-isolation

COVID-19: Self-isolation requirements revoked from 24 February 2022, with a number of additional changes expected on April 1,...


News | Employment Law
Posted: 2 Mar 2022



SRA Guidance on Workplace Culture

The SRA recently published guidance on workplace environments in law firms[1] (the ‘Guidance’) which highlights some of the...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 28 Feb 2022



Employment Partner Dr John McMullen assumes new trustee role

Our Employment Partner Dr John McMullen has been appointed a trustee of Halifax Opportunities Trust. This is an example of...


News | Employment Law
Posted: 24 Feb 2022



Emma Gross comments on HR and legal implications of career breaks

Career breaks are in the news after Jo Whitfield, the CEO of Co-op Food confirmed she was taking a career break this year to...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 21 Feb 2022



Employment law partner Dr John McMullen’s new book on Redundancy Law and Practice receives a rave review from HR Director Magazine:

Our Employment law partner Dr John McMullen’s new book on Redundancy Law and Practice (now in its 4th edition) has received a...


News | Employment Law
Posted: 15 Feb 2022



Amanda Lennon writes for People Management on alcohol at work following government ‘partygate’ scandal

Following comments in Sue Gray’s report about Westminster’s culture of excessive drinking, our employment partner Amanda...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 9 Feb 2022



Free Covid 19 Vaccination Policy

Is your business at risk?  January is over and restrictions to businesses are melting away, but no doubt you are still...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 7 Feb 2022



The Observer features Fudia Smartt on unvaccinated employees

UK companies large and small are debating the vaccine question, and whether to differentiate between vaccinated and...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 26 Jan 2022



Amanda Lennon outlines the legal issues around transferring construction staff

When a business is bought, or a new contract starts, often employees transfer across. This transfer is governed by the TUPE...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 26 Jan 2022



Amanda Lennon comments on Ikea’s approach to unvaccinated staff and sick leave

Ikea’s policy of cutting sick pay for unvaccinated staff who have to isolate after coming into contact with someone with...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 12 Jan 2022



Pam Dosanjh Phillips calls for greater inclusion and diversity in business

Business Leader magazine sought views from a variety of experts for an article on diversity and inclusion in business. Pam...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 12 Jan 2022



Are you ‘Procedure and Policy ready’ for 2022?

With 2021 fresh in our memories, and all the possibilities of 2022 ahead – now is a great time to review your employment contracts, workplace po...


News | Employment Law
Posted: 11 Jan 2022



Emma Gross shares tips on what to do when your boss follows you on social media

Social media can be a great way to build rapport with your boss and co-workers, but it can bring challenges. Emma Gross,...


Press | Employment Law
Posted: 21 Dec 2021



All About Agency Workers

Agency workers are sometimes referred to as atypical workers or contingent workers.   An agency worker’s contract...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 20 Dec 2021



Early Conciliation Changes

More than One prospective respondent (Implementation date : 1 December 2021). Many Employers may now be familiar with the early...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 13 Dec 2021



What you need to know about the Flexible Working Bill

The new Flexible Working Bill was introduced to parliament in June 2021. A new consultation has been published on proposals to...


Article | Employment Law
Posted: 8 Dec 2021