First published on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Last updated on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at the week’s most pressing HR and employment law stories. With over 18 years’ experience in employee relations, I give my opinion on current trends impacting your business, as well as my own personal commentary on all things HR and legal.
Major change to apprenticeships as government vows to 'back the next generation'
The government has pledged to create 120,000 new training routes for workers in trades like construction, healthcare, and engineering—part of a wider push to reduce net migration and boost homegrown talent. Backed by a £3bn budget, the plan includes 30,000 additional apprenticeships by 2029. But it’s not without controversy: funding will shift away from higher-level apprenticeships in 2026, raising concerns among employers about access to skilled professions.
As someone who’s worked with business owners for nearly two decades, I know how vital a skilled, reliable workforce is to your sustained success. So this is clearly a big opportunity to invest in entry-level talent. That investment needs structure, though. Think proper onboarding, clear training plans, and up-to-date HR documents. Get that right, and you’ll be in a strong position for the future.
Business on top, and nothing on the bottom…?
A digital production manager who appeared bottomless during a Teams call has lost his claim for unfair dismissal. The employee, known as DB, stoop up mid-meeting, unintentionally exposing himself to colleagues.
He argued it was a bank holiday, so dress codes didn’t apply. The tribunal disagreed, stating that any reasonable employee should know the risks of logging in half-dressed, holiday or not.
With no indication he’d learned from the incident, and after trying to delete the video and mislead the panel about what he was (or wasn’t) wearing, the tribunal dismissed his case entirely.
Look—remote work may have relaxed the dress code, but professionalism still counts. Especially when your cameras are on. Workers, please use common sense. Business owners, keep your policies up to date. It’s one of those things you think you don’t need, until you unfortunately really, really do.
Parental leave pressures mount for UK families
According to the Working Families Index 2025, financial strain is pushing many parents—especially mothers, back to work earlier than they’d like. Four in 10 mothers said they couldn’t take the leave they needed, while 70% of fathers who skipped part of their paternity leave blamed money.
The report found that families are dipping into savings, or worse, going into debt just to cover childcare. Now I understand that not every employer can afford not offer enhance parental leave, especially in today’s climate. But if you can offer that extra support, even small improvements, it can really go a long way. It helps retention, strengthens morale, and sends a message that your business values people as well as productivity.
Whatever your policies, the key is clarity. Make sure your parental leave entitlements are clearly written, accessible and inclusive. And encourage open dialogue with employees about what they need, before, during, and after leave.
And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!
