News and Knowledge

Autism Awareness Month: What it is & why we should celebrate

Autism Awareness Month is here to raise awareness and promote the acceptance of people with autism. In society today, there are many misconceptions about autism, and this month is dedicated to debunking myths and promoting inclusion.   It is thought that autism affects around 700,000 children and adults in the UK. But many societal barriers…

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is here to celebrate the talents of neurodiverse people, challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive world to empower all.   According to statistics, it is estimated that around 15 to 20 per cent of the world’s population has some type of neurodivergence. These conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism…

New Paternity Leave rules for dads to come into effect

New paternity leave rules will come into force from next month to give new dads more flexibility and a slight pay rise, the government has announced.   The changes will mean that new fathers can take their statutory two-week leave in separate one-week chunks, instead of having to take it as two consecutive weeks, as…

Employment Tribunal compensation to increase from April

Employees may be entitled to more compensation at employment tribunals from April as the government has announced an increase in limits.   Employment tribunals take place when a dispute has taken place between an employee and an employer, usually regarding redundancies, unfair dismissals and equal pay. Employment Tribunals are the judicial body with responsibility for…

People in their 20s more likely to be off work due to health than those in their 40s – Study

A new study has found that people in their early 20s are more likely to not work due to poor health than those in their 40s.   The report, published by Resolution Foundation shows that the figures are “radically different” from the past, where the older you got, the more likely you were to not…

Legal rights for women going through the menopause explained

Women going through menopause will have more protections at work from today as the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published new guidance for employers.   The new guidance states that employers could be sued if they do not make “reasonable adjustments”  at work for women going through menopause, if their symptoms amount to being…

LGBT veteran sacked for sexuality in ‘last battle’ for compensation

A navy veteran who was sacked for his sexuality fears he might die before he receives his compensation from the UK government.   Joe Ousalice, 73, was one of the thousands who were affected by a ban on LGBT people working in the armed forces which lasted up until 2000. Last year the prime minister…

Union calls for ban on ‘precarious’ zero-hour contracts

A trade union is calling for a ban on zero-hour contracts as workers are often “stuck” with insecure and low-pay jobs.   The call for the ban comes after figures from Labour’s Market Overview’s latest 2024 report estimate the levels of employment across the UK. The Trade Union Congress said employers are “parking workers on…

Deliveroo and Uber Eats workers to strike on Valentine’s Day

Deliveroo and Uber Eats riders are set to strike on Valentine’s Day to demand improved working conditions and better pay.   The industrial action will impact four food apps, and is thought to involve around 3,000 drivers and riders between 5 pm and 10 pm on Wednesday, February 14. One cyclist taking part in the…

Tata Steel: 3,000 jobs at risk as blast furnaces expected to close

Thousands of workers could be at risk of losing their jobs as steel giant Tata plans to shut down blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant.   It is thought that more than 3,000 jobs could be lost as Tata plans to cut the jobs to press ahead with proposals for a greener form of…