First published on Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Last updated on Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Proposals to restrict zero-hours contracts
Government proposals to restrict zero-hours contracts could cost businesses up to £3 billion every year. Under these reforms, workers would receive the right to guaranteed hours and predictable shifts.
Employers in sectors like care, hospitality and retail have expressed concerns about the operational and financial implications of guaranteed hours contracts. My advice is to start monitoring shifts, rotas and record keeping now, so you can see the hours your employees regularly work. Shifts and rotas software should also show you the cost of each shift, so you can start planning before reforms come in.
Should AI written grievances be banned?
A worker was recently banned by the Australian Fair Work Commission from using AI to write complaints against her employer. Her complaints were upheld as legitimate, but had been buried within documents that were “lengthy, wide-ranging, replete with generalisations, repetitive, and often couched in accusatory language”. As a result, her employer had disengaged with the process rather than tackling the claims.
Although this case was in Australia, tribunal judges in the UK have seen a hundredfold increase in AI-written applications, causing delays to an already-inundated system. So, is there a way to ease the backlog of tribunal cases? With some cases scheduled to be seen in 2030, Acas has proposed to change the disciplinary and grievance process. With an emphasis on early and informal resolution, it’s hoped to save time and resources.
What makes a good manager?
The BrightHR team recently asked Reddit what makes a good manager. The answers were decisive and heartfelt. Some people valued technical expertise, and others valued soft skills like listening. But there was one overarching theme: trust.
Every manager’s style is different, and in my experience there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. But I agree that good managers model good communication. They set the tone, act decisively and advocate for their people. You can take a look at the full report here.
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!
