Have you heard the latest news?

Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we give you a rundown of the week's top stories. Stay on the pulse of current trends impacting your business. Plus get up-to-the-minute commentaries on all things HR and legal.

So, let’s check out this week’s headlines…

The Harpur Trust judgment

Last summer, the UK Supreme Court decided that annual leave could not be pro-rated for part-year workers. This includes workers on term-time and zero-hour contracts.

Now, the government has launched a new consultation to seek responses to its proposals to amend the Working Time Regulations and allow leave to be pro-rated. This will remove any anomalies that the current legislation wording creates.

Two for one on Easter bank holidays this leave year

If your holiday year runs from April-March, you may have noticed you have two Good Fridays within the 2023-2024 bank holiday year: Friday 7 April 2023 and Friday 29 March 2024.

There will be an additional bank holiday in the upcoming holiday year. But you will also have one less day in the 2024-2025 holiday year. Be aware this could potentially leave your staff short of their statutory 28-day entitlement.

Check your contractual wording! This will determine arrangements in this situation. And employers may have to put measures in place to ensure they aren’t breaching their contracts or statutory obligations.

Blue Monday or Brew Monday?

Blue Monday, which falls on the third Monday of January, is supposedly the year’s most depressing day. And while there’s not much scientific evidence to back this theory up, it is true that January can be tough on a lot of people’s mental wellbeing.

Today, it’s used as an awareness day to promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, and to encourage people to talk. The Samaritan’s coined the term Brew Monday to encourage people at work to open up and talk over a cuppa. Whilst Blue/Brew Monday is a great initiative, employers should support staff year-round.

Final call for two new Bills in parliament…

Tips for workers and Neonatal Leave & Pay

On Friday 20th of Jan 2023, two Private Members’ Bills will have their third reading in parliament. One proposes to make it unlawful to withhold tips and service charges from workers. The other hopes to introduce Neonatal Leave and Pay as a statutory right. Watch this space!

Salary transparency? Yet to be seen

A new campaign to drive the government to introduce laws that mean it will be unlawful for employers to ask job applicants about their salary. And watch out when writing those job ads! The campaign also aims to make it necessary to list salary details on job adverts. It’s hoped this will boost equality and pay parity.

*And that’s a wrap. Tune in next week for more headlines and make sure you stay ahead of major employment law changes! *