Institute of Employment Rights
@ieruk.bsky.social
IER is an independent network of academics & experts in employment law & trade union rights. We provide briefings, regular publications & organise conferences.
The Employment Rights Bill receives royal assent, becoming the Employment Rights Act 2025. Read here:
www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
December 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The Employment Rights Bill receives royal assent, becoming the Employment Rights Act 2025. Read here:
www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
The Bill returns to the Commons on a single issue: compensation caps for unfair dismissal. But with only 49% of claimants paid awards in full (2013), IER chair Lord Hendy says the real problem runs deeper than the cap.
December 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Bill returns to the Commons on a single issue: compensation caps for unfair dismissal. But with only 49% of claimants paid awards in full (2013), IER chair Lord Hendy says the real problem runs deeper than the cap.
The Employment Rights Bill will return to the Commons today - and (according to Government sources) will be back in the Lords by tomorrow. One major contention remains, which is the lifting of the cap on unfair dismissal awards: www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Downing Street vows to force employment rights bill through Lords
No more concessions, says minister after legislation was thwarted in upper house despite manifesto climbdown
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Employment Rights Bill will return to the Commons today - and (according to Government sources) will be back in the Lords by tomorrow. One major contention remains, which is the lifting of the cap on unfair dismissal awards: www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer must defy Lords and deliver Employment Rights Bill before Christmas, says FBU leader Steve Wright: “For 14 years, the Tories hammered the living standards of working people. They are now using the unelected Lords to continue that policy.” www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/12...
December 15, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Starmer must defy Lords and deliver Employment Rights Bill before Christmas, says FBU leader Steve Wright: “For 14 years, the Tories hammered the living standards of working people. They are now using the unelected Lords to continue that policy.” www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Ministers rule out further concessions as Employment Rights Bill faces third Lords defeat over compensation for unfair dismissal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/ministe...
www.ier.org.uk/news/ministe...
December 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Ministers rule out further concessions as Employment Rights Bill faces third Lords defeat over compensation for unfair dismissal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/ministe...
www.ier.org.uk/news/ministe...
Rail unions warn BTP funding crisis is putting staff and passengers
The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has been urged to agree a proper funding settlement for the BTP, by rail unions and the TUC. Read more here, including joint letter: www.ier.org.uk/news/rail-un...
The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has been urged to agree a proper funding settlement for the BTP, by rail unions and the TUC. Read more here, including joint letter: www.ier.org.uk/news/rail-un...
December 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Rail unions warn BTP funding crisis is putting staff and passengers
The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has been urged to agree a proper funding settlement for the BTP, by rail unions and the TUC. Read more here, including joint letter: www.ier.org.uk/news/rail-un...
The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has been urged to agree a proper funding settlement for the BTP, by rail unions and the TUC. Read more here, including joint letter: www.ier.org.uk/news/rail-un...
“Skip presents this year”, low-paid Library staff told.
British Library newsletter suggested staff think about avoiding Christmas presents.
www.ier.org.uk/news/skip-pr...
British Library newsletter suggested staff think about avoiding Christmas presents.
www.ier.org.uk/news/skip-pr...
December 10, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“Skip presents this year”, low-paid Library staff told.
British Library newsletter suggested staff think about avoiding Christmas presents.
www.ier.org.uk/news/skip-pr...
British Library newsletter suggested staff think about avoiding Christmas presents.
www.ier.org.uk/news/skip-pr...
‼️RMT warns of surge in violence against rail workers while British Transport Police presence cut.
Rail union says a sharp rise in attacks on rail workers are taking place at the same time as the BTP presence is being cut on the railways.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rmt-war...
Rail union says a sharp rise in attacks on rail workers are taking place at the same time as the BTP presence is being cut on the railways.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rmt-war...
December 10, 2025 at 9:14 AM
‼️RMT warns of surge in violence against rail workers while British Transport Police presence cut.
Rail union says a sharp rise in attacks on rail workers are taking place at the same time as the BTP presence is being cut on the railways.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rmt-war...
Rail union says a sharp rise in attacks on rail workers are taking place at the same time as the BTP presence is being cut on the railways.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rmt-war...
Film & TV performers to vote on support for industrial action over artificial intelligence
Equity is holding an indicative industrial action ballot for its members working in film and TV on the issue of artificial intelligence protections. www.ier.org.uk/news/film-tv...
Equity is holding an indicative industrial action ballot for its members working in film and TV on the issue of artificial intelligence protections. www.ier.org.uk/news/film-tv...
December 8, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Film & TV performers to vote on support for industrial action over artificial intelligence
Equity is holding an indicative industrial action ballot for its members working in film and TV on the issue of artificial intelligence protections. www.ier.org.uk/news/film-tv...
Equity is holding an indicative industrial action ballot for its members working in film and TV on the issue of artificial intelligence protections. www.ier.org.uk/news/film-tv...
Employment status: a problem of definition.
“A serious omission from the ERB is the creation of a single status of worker which would give parity & certainty of rights to all those who are dependent on someone else to pay their wages.”
Via Labour Research Department: www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/em...
“A serious omission from the ERB is the creation of a single status of worker which would give parity & certainty of rights to all those who are dependent on someone else to pay their wages.”
Via Labour Research Department: www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/em...
December 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Employment status: a problem of definition.
“A serious omission from the ERB is the creation of a single status of worker which would give parity & certainty of rights to all those who are dependent on someone else to pay their wages.”
Via Labour Research Department: www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/em...
“A serious omission from the ERB is the creation of a single status of worker which would give parity & certainty of rights to all those who are dependent on someone else to pay their wages.”
Via Labour Research Department: www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/em...
Angela Rayner drops amendment speeding up implementation of unfair dismissal measures following compromise with Ministers. Unfair dismissal protections after six months are now set to become active in January 2027.
www.ier.org.uk/news/comprom...
www.ier.org.uk/news/comprom...
December 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Angela Rayner drops amendment speeding up implementation of unfair dismissal measures following compromise with Ministers. Unfair dismissal protections after six months are now set to become active in January 2027.
www.ier.org.uk/news/comprom...
www.ier.org.uk/news/comprom...
Amazon facing claims 'severe' pressure on UK warehouse bosses led to breakdowns.
A group of fulfilment centre managers at Amazon has called on MPs to investigate allegations that the heavy workload is having a big impact on their mental health: www.mirror.co.uk/news/busines...
A group of fulfilment centre managers at Amazon has called on MPs to investigate allegations that the heavy workload is having a big impact on their mental health: www.mirror.co.uk/news/busines...
Amazon facing claims 'severe' pressure on depot managers has led to breakdowns
A group of fulfilment centre managers at Amazon has called on MPs to investigate allegations that the heavy workload is having a big impact on their mental health
www.mirror.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Amazon facing claims 'severe' pressure on UK warehouse bosses led to breakdowns.
A group of fulfilment centre managers at Amazon has called on MPs to investigate allegations that the heavy workload is having a big impact on their mental health: www.mirror.co.uk/news/busines...
A group of fulfilment centre managers at Amazon has called on MPs to investigate allegations that the heavy workload is having a big impact on their mental health: www.mirror.co.uk/news/busines...
Fresh Birmingham agency bin worker bullying revealed as staff publicly ranked by driving mistakes at work
League table of driver tachograph ‘performance’ contravenes GDPR and is reminder they have no job security: www.ier.org.uk/news/fresh-b...
League table of driver tachograph ‘performance’ contravenes GDPR and is reminder they have no job security: www.ier.org.uk/news/fresh-b...
December 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Fresh Birmingham agency bin worker bullying revealed as staff publicly ranked by driving mistakes at work
League table of driver tachograph ‘performance’ contravenes GDPR and is reminder they have no job security: www.ier.org.uk/news/fresh-b...
League table of driver tachograph ‘performance’ contravenes GDPR and is reminder they have no job security: www.ier.org.uk/news/fresh-b...
Usdaw members overwhelmingly vote for strike action over ‘fire and rehire’
Tetrosyl workers vote by 94% for industrial action in ballot: www.ier.org.uk/news/usdaw-m...
Tetrosyl workers vote by 94% for industrial action in ballot: www.ier.org.uk/news/usdaw-m...
December 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Usdaw members overwhelmingly vote for strike action over ‘fire and rehire’
Tetrosyl workers vote by 94% for industrial action in ballot: www.ier.org.uk/news/usdaw-m...
Tetrosyl workers vote by 94% for industrial action in ballot: www.ier.org.uk/news/usdaw-m...
🪧 Dockland Light Railway (DLR) sick pay dispute leads to four days strike action.
@rmtunion members working as cleaners on the DLR will begin strike action on Thursday over a lack of sick pay.
www.ier.org.uk/news/dlr-sic...
@rmtunion members working as cleaners on the DLR will begin strike action on Thursday over a lack of sick pay.
www.ier.org.uk/news/dlr-sic...
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
🪧 Dockland Light Railway (DLR) sick pay dispute leads to four days strike action.
@rmtunion members working as cleaners on the DLR will begin strike action on Thursday over a lack of sick pay.
www.ier.org.uk/news/dlr-sic...
@rmtunion members working as cleaners on the DLR will begin strike action on Thursday over a lack of sick pay.
www.ier.org.uk/news/dlr-sic...
Minimum wage to increase by 4.1% from April, with 6-8.5% increases for younger workers.
Workers aged 18 to 20 will get an increase of 8.5%, to £10.85 an hour. Unions respond, as well as the LivingWage Foundation:
www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum...
Workers aged 18 to 20 will get an increase of 8.5%, to £10.85 an hour. Unions respond, as well as the LivingWage Foundation:
www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum...
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Minimum wage to increase by 4.1% from April, with 6-8.5% increases for younger workers.
Workers aged 18 to 20 will get an increase of 8.5%, to £10.85 an hour. Unions respond, as well as the LivingWage Foundation:
www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum...
Workers aged 18 to 20 will get an increase of 8.5%, to £10.85 an hour. Unions respond, as well as the LivingWage Foundation:
www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum...
General Strike 100
National museums, libraries, archives, community groups, and individuals across the UK are marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.
All the details here: generalstrike100.com #GeneralStrike100
National museums, libraries, archives, community groups, and individuals across the UK are marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.
All the details here: generalstrike100.com #GeneralStrike100
November 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
General Strike 100
National museums, libraries, archives, community groups, and individuals across the UK are marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.
All the details here: generalstrike100.com #GeneralStrike100
National museums, libraries, archives, community groups, and individuals across the UK are marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.
All the details here: generalstrike100.com #GeneralStrike100
Almost 50,000 nursing staff could leave the UK under proposed new visa rules, the RCN warns.
The union calls on the Government to reverse its plans which it says will deepen the nursing workforce crisis. Read more here: www.ier.org.uk/news/almost-...
The union calls on the Government to reverse its plans which it says will deepen the nursing workforce crisis. Read more here: www.ier.org.uk/news/almost-...
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Almost 50,000 nursing staff could leave the UK under proposed new visa rules, the RCN warns.
The union calls on the Government to reverse its plans which it says will deepen the nursing workforce crisis. Read more here: www.ier.org.uk/news/almost-...
The union calls on the Government to reverse its plans which it says will deepen the nursing workforce crisis. Read more here: www.ier.org.uk/news/almost-...
Hundreds of women launch equal pay claim against Barnet Council
London’s first council equal pay claim has today had its first court hearing before the Employment Tribunal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
London’s first council equal pay claim has today had its first court hearing before the Employment Tribunal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Hundreds of women launch equal pay claim against Barnet Council
London’s first council equal pay claim has today had its first court hearing before the Employment Tribunal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
London’s first council equal pay claim has today had its first court hearing before the Employment Tribunal.
www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
Lord Ashcroft majority owner of “bullying” contractor: @RMTunion hold Day of Action.
Today’s action at Manchester Piccadilly follows a strike by RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services on Northern revenue protection and gate line contract.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lord-as...
Today’s action at Manchester Piccadilly follows a strike by RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services on Northern revenue protection and gate line contract.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lord-as...
November 19, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Lord Ashcroft majority owner of “bullying” contractor: @RMTunion hold Day of Action.
Today’s action at Manchester Piccadilly follows a strike by RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services on Northern revenue protection and gate line contract.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lord-as...
Today’s action at Manchester Piccadilly follows a strike by RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services on Northern revenue protection and gate line contract.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lord-as...
The Employment Rights Bill is back in the House of Lords again this afternoon. Key issues: day-one rights, zero-hours contracts and balloting thresholds remain on the table. Catch up on the latest developments here: www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
November 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The Employment Rights Bill is back in the House of Lords again this afternoon. Key issues: day-one rights, zero-hours contracts and balloting thresholds remain on the table. Catch up on the latest developments here: www.ier.org.uk/news/employm...
Lords Committee report highlights lack of evidence behind civil service 60% office working mandate, says FDA union.
Recommendations made in the Lords Committee report align with arguments the union has previously made.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lords-c...
Recommendations made in the Lords Committee report align with arguments the union has previously made.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lords-c...
November 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Lords Committee report highlights lack of evidence behind civil service 60% office working mandate, says FDA union.
Recommendations made in the Lords Committee report align with arguments the union has previously made.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lords-c...
Recommendations made in the Lords Committee report align with arguments the union has previously made.
www.ier.org.uk/news/lords-c...
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) calls for worker representation and independent appointments to the BBC board.
“The BBC does not belong to the government or its board. It belongs to the people and to its workers. It should be accountable to - and shaped by - us"
www.ier.org.uk/news/nuj-cal...
“The BBC does not belong to the government or its board. It belongs to the people and to its workers. It should be accountable to - and shaped by - us"
www.ier.org.uk/news/nuj-cal...
November 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) calls for worker representation and independent appointments to the BBC board.
“The BBC does not belong to the government or its board. It belongs to the people and to its workers. It should be accountable to - and shaped by - us"
www.ier.org.uk/news/nuj-cal...
“The BBC does not belong to the government or its board. It belongs to the people and to its workers. It should be accountable to - and shaped by - us"
www.ier.org.uk/news/nuj-cal...
‘Say Sorry, Be Nice!’ Staff at @rockstargames.com fired en masse- in a “calculated attack on workers” according to @iwgbunion.bsky.social. The mass firing comes just months ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, predicted to be the biggest game launch in history: www.ier.org.uk/news/say-sor...
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
‘Say Sorry, Be Nice!’ Staff at @rockstargames.com fired en masse- in a “calculated attack on workers” according to @iwgbunion.bsky.social. The mass firing comes just months ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, predicted to be the biggest game launch in history: www.ier.org.uk/news/say-sor...
Reposted by Institute of Employment Rights
The seasonal worker visa’s structure impedes union organising, with workers in the country for no longer than six months. But with the scheme ongoing since the 2019 pilot and looking like it’s here to stay, it makes sense to ask whether major unions could be doing more to overcome these challenges
I've been investigating the huge levels of exploitation faced by workers on the seasonal worker visa for the last few years, and have often asked myself why the trade union movement has ignored these workers.
So I spoke to unions, big and small, to try and answer that question.
So I spoke to unions, big and small, to try and answer that question.
‘An indictment of the trade union movement’: Why no one is organising seasonal workers
November 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The seasonal worker visa’s structure impedes union organising, with workers in the country for no longer than six months. But with the scheme ongoing since the 2019 pilot and looking like it’s here to stay, it makes sense to ask whether major unions could be doing more to overcome these challenges