As reported by HR Director, employers are adjusting to a new set of employment law changes that came into force at the start of October, as the latest phase of the Employment Rights Act introduces greater protections for workers and additional responsibilities for businesses
Among the changes, which took effect on 1 October, was an extension to the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims. The deadline increased from three months to six months, giving employees longer to pursue claims against their employer.
The reforms also strengthened employers’ responsibilities around workplace harassment. From 1 October, the duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment was strengthened to require them to take “all reasonable steps”.
Employers also became liable for harassment of employees by third parties, such as customers or clients, where they had failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent it.
The latest reforms also included a number of changes affecting trade unions, including new rights around workplace access, recognition procedures and protections for union representatives and workers taking industrial action.
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