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.

On January 24th 2023, these are the top employment law stories you need to hear:

Big changes on the horizon for employers as the EU-Bill nears end stages

After progressing through the House of Commons the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill has passed its first reading.

And because the government has rejected calls to delay the 'sunset' date of all EU-derived law from 31st December 2023 to 31st December 2026, ministers will continue with plans to review then repeal or retain all EU laws by the end of the year.

This could mean big changes coming for employers, so watch this space!

Teachers to strike in England and Wales

Did you know that most teachers in England and Wales will walk out on the 1st February and 15th / 16th March, with more strike days planned throughout the same months?

The strike action may have a big impact on your workforce, with childcare arrangements up in the air.

Make sure to meet with working parents to agree, where necessary, amendments to their working conditions. You can read this article for more tips on how to tackle parental leave compassionately, and effectively.

Calls are made to ban cake in the office

You heard! The Food Standards Agency made headlines this week after its Chair suggested a ban on cake in the office...

The call comes in an attempt to improve healthy eating habits in the office. Whilst it's unlikely that an outright ban in cake will happen (banning foods and shaming staff isn't the workplace culture businesses should be looking for), it is a reminder to try and encourage healthy habits among your workforce.

Why not start by offering free fruit and other healthy snacks?

Tips for workers and Neonatal Leave & Pay progress

We touched on both of these new Bills in last week's edition of HR Heartbeat, and today we can share that there has been an update on both the tips for workers Bill and Neonatel Leave & Pay Bill. They have both progressed through the Commons and will now go to the House of Lords for their first reading.

These Bills are set to make it unlawful to withhold tips from workers and give employees a statutory right to neonatal leave and pay.

When? It seems possible that the Tips Bill could come into effect as early as this year, and that statutory neonatal leave and pay Bill, if passed this year, will come into effect 18 months later.

MOT rules under review

A consultation has been launched to seek responses on a proposal set to make changes to MOT rules for drivers. The proposals look to:

• Change the date the first MOT is needed for new cars from three years to four years.
• Allow MOT tests to be done every two years after that, instead of the current annual requirement.

Does your business provide company vehicles or require employees to drive as part of their role? You may need to consider reviewing and updating associated policies and contractual agreements in line with the outcome.

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