Our Employment Law experts bring you the latest information for England and Wales.
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When am I Entitled to Time off?
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Work in the Summer Holidays – your Rights
The school year is now coming to a close and if you are anything like me you have already given yourself a high five ( in secret of course!). The morning madness you pass off as a routine has worked, your child has made it to school every day and you have productively worked around…
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School Closures and Employment Rights
School Closures and Employment Rights. It’s currently an anxious time for everyone and with the recent announcement that schools will close for an unspecified period of time many parents are concerned about their employment rights if they are suddenly required for childcare. There are some protections for employees where childcare has broken down for a…
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Bereavement Leave for parents
Losing a child is every parent’s worst fear and it is essential that parents are given time to grieve and deal with practicalities in the aftermath of a death. Parents may be forced to make hard choices about returning to work at a desperately difficult time, fearing loss of pay or job security if they…
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Parental Leave & Dependent Leave
At some point during each of our careers we are likely to develop caring responsibilities. Whilst caring is rewarding, it is also challenging, especially when juggling conflicting responsibilities. Work shouldn’t have to be an added burden and employers should be there to assist you. Juggling caring responsibilities as an employee – parental leave / dependent…
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Can I take time off if the school is closed?
By Jodie Hill Many parents can relate to that feeling. You wake up on a regular morning, and everything is covered in snow. Many thoughts start spiralling. Will I have to travel in the snow? How delayed is public transport? Is my child’s school closed? The snow can be amazing but not when you are…
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Paternal and Maternal Leave: Should there be Parity?
By Jodie Hill The judgment from the much anticipated case of Ali v Capita Customer Management Ltd and Leicestershire Police v Hextall was handed down from the Court of Appeal earlier this month. Thrive Law’s Jodie Hill represented Mr Ali at his first hearing. The ruling was, essentially, that it is not discriminatory to refuse…
Women in the Workplace
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Have Things Really Improved for Working Mums in the UK? A 2026 Reality Check
Have Things Really Improved for Working Mums in the UK? A 2025 Reality Check About the Author Abbie Coleman is the founder and editor of MMB Magazine, the UK’s leading online platform dedicated to supporting working mums. With over 25 years of recruitment experience and 10 years running her own consultancy, Abbie is a passionate…
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An Introduction to Equal Pay
An introduction to equal pay and what it really means for you. By Katie Ash – Banner Jones Katie has over 18 years’ experience in dealing with all aspects of HR and employment law matters and is a longstanding member of the Employment Lawyers Association. Katie acts for both employers and individuals and has a wealth…
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Breastfeeding At Work
Breastfeeding at work: For many women, returning to work after maternity leave can feel like a daunting prospect. From re-familiarising themselves with the day-to-day responsibilities of their role, through to re-acquainting themselves with colleagues and clients and ensuring that all of their relevant qualifications and accreditations are up to date, the first few weeks and…
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Should hugging be banned at work?
We can all think of a time when we have encountered an awkward interaction with someone in a work context, be it a new contact who goes in for a kiss while you’re holding your hand out to shake theirs or a colleague who is known as being the “one that hugs everyone” in the…
General
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How Can Work Support Me As A Parent
How Can Work Support Me As A Parent About the Author Abbie Coleman is the founder and editor of MMB Magazine and has more than 25 years of recruitment and career coaching experience. Having supported candidates from graduate level through to senior leadership positions, she is passionate about helping parents build successful careers around family…
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My Employer wants an “Off the record Chat” with me… What do I do?
There are various scenarios where your employer may request an “off the record” chat with you. Often these conversations occur when there are issues dealing with a woman’s return from maternity leave. The law allows employers and employees to have such conversations, and if the requirements are followed, then the conversation is known as a…
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FlexiTime Rights
A recent employment tribunal found in favour of a woman – a sales manager for a small estate agent in London, and a mum of one – whose request for more flexible working was refused by her employer. FlexiTime Rights By Banner Jones A recent employment tribunal found in favour of a woman – a…
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Can my Employer read my Emails?
Can my employer read my emails? Who is watching? Can my employer see my WhatsApps? How private are my emails? Can I check what my employees are using their work phones for? These are the types of questions employees and employers often ask. The requirements relating to communications and social media use vary from business…
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Restrictive Covenants: What are the Rules – The Dos and Don’ts?
Restrictive covenants are one of the many ways that an employer can try to protect its business interests. A restrictive covenant is a clause in a contract of employment which seeks to protect an employer’s business by restricting the activities of an employee after their employment has ended. This could include preventing the employee from…
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Going Bra-less at work?
A recent comment on a forum sparked the debate as to whether it should be unlawful to not wear a bra at work and how far should employers go when enforcing their dress code guidelines. At the core of this conversation is women’s rights in the workplace. This is because traditionally, the idea of needing…