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ET Presidents explain how to approach existing Practice Directions and Presidential Guidance in light of new ET procedure rules

Employment analysis: Judge Barry Clarke, the President for the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales), and Judge Susan Walker, the President for the Employment Tribunals (Scotland), have published a joint letter, dated 18 December 2024, concerning the interaction between the current Practice Directions and Presidential Guidance documents and the new Employment Tribunal Rules 2024, which take effect on 6 January 2025.

Employment weekly highlights—19 December 2024

This edition of Employment weekly highlights includes: (1) a round-up of the key employment law developments in 2024 and what to look out for in 2025, (2) a joint letter from the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals for England & Wales and Scotland on how to approach existing Practice Directions and Presidential Guidance in light of the new procedure rules, (3) two Court of Appeal decisions on the extension of employment tribunal time limits, (4) an EAT decision examining the interplay between regulations 4(7), 4(8) and 4(9) of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE 2006), (5) a Court of Appeal ruling that claims that migrant workers were abused in Dyson’s Malaysian factories should be heard in Britain, (6) the IRLR Highlights for January 2025, (7) dates for your diary, and (8) other news items of interest to employment practitioners.

EHRC issues guidance for employers on new sexual harassment law and workplace Christmas parties

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published guidance on what employers need to know about the new sexual harassment law and Christmas parties. The EHRC identifies the following steps that employers should take as this year’s festivities begin: (1) think ahead to prevent problems, eg about alcohol, overnight stays and travel, and power imbalances, (2) set expectations early and remind employees of company policies, and (3) consider the risk of third party harassment.

MAC publishes 2024 annual report on UK immigration system

The Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) December 2024 annual report highlights significant changes in UK immigration policy following the election of a Labour government in July 2024. The MAC has been tasked with reviewing financial requirements for family visas and examining the use of work immigration routes for IT and Engineering professionals. This forms part of the government's broader strategy to align immigration policy more closely with skills policy and industrial strategy (an aim which is discussed in the report including the uncertainties in relying on such approach as a way of reducng net migration). The report also includes quantitative estimates of the fiscal impact of Skilled Workers, and their households; with a comparison between migrant groups and the native population (this is the first time that the MAC has done this). The report notes recent changes to Health and Care visas, implemented in late 2023 and early 2024, which have led to a decrease in visa issuances. Additionally, the MAC's role has been expanded to include yearly assessments of key sectors' use of the immigration system, with corresponding increases in the Committee's capacity, including the transition of the Chair role to a full-time position and the creation of a new Deputy Chair role.