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.
BrewDog employees concerned for their futures having learned company could be sold off, Unite the union has said.
Financial experts AlixPartners brought in to attract new investors in a move which could see the Aberdeenshire-based firm broken up: www.ier.org.uk/news/brewdog...
Financial experts AlixPartners brought in to attract new investors in a move which could see the Aberdeenshire-based firm broken up: www.ier.org.uk/news/brewdog...
February 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
BrewDog employees concerned for their futures having learned company could be sold off, Unite the union has said.
Financial experts AlixPartners brought in to attract new investors in a move which could see the Aberdeenshire-based firm broken up: www.ier.org.uk/news/brewdog...
Financial experts AlixPartners brought in to attract new investors in a move which could see the Aberdeenshire-based firm broken up: www.ier.org.uk/news/brewdog...
Domestic Violence Advisors take Solace charity to Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) over recognition fight.
Advisors at Tower Hamlets Solace commence statutory recognition procedure following backtracking on voluntary recognition: www.ier.org.uk/news/domesti...
Advisors at Tower Hamlets Solace commence statutory recognition procedure following backtracking on voluntary recognition: www.ier.org.uk/news/domesti...
February 16, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Domestic Violence Advisors take Solace charity to Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) over recognition fight.
Advisors at Tower Hamlets Solace commence statutory recognition procedure following backtracking on voluntary recognition: www.ier.org.uk/news/domesti...
Advisors at Tower Hamlets Solace commence statutory recognition procedure following backtracking on voluntary recognition: www.ier.org.uk/news/domesti...
#HeartUnions Week:
HeartUnions week runs from the 9th to the 15th of Feb - a ‘chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work & encourage people who aren’t yet in a union to join.’ www.ier.org.uk/news/heartun...
HeartUnions week runs from the 9th to the 15th of Feb - a ‘chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work & encourage people who aren’t yet in a union to join.’ www.ier.org.uk/news/heartun...
February 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM
#HeartUnions Week:
HeartUnions week runs from the 9th to the 15th of Feb - a ‘chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work & encourage people who aren’t yet in a union to join.’ www.ier.org.uk/news/heartun...
HeartUnions week runs from the 9th to the 15th of Feb - a ‘chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work & encourage people who aren’t yet in a union to join.’ www.ier.org.uk/news/heartun...
Listened to the new podcast from the IER yet?
John Hendy KC & Nicola Countouris discuss what’s missing in the #EmploymentRightsAct, including:
👉 sectorial collective bargaining
👉 single worker status
👉 a positive right to strike
Listen here: www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
John Hendy KC & Nicola Countouris discuss what’s missing in the #EmploymentRightsAct, including:
👉 sectorial collective bargaining
👉 single worker status
👉 a positive right to strike
Listen here: www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
February 11, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Listened to the new podcast from the IER yet?
John Hendy KC & Nicola Countouris discuss what’s missing in the #EmploymentRightsAct, including:
👉 sectorial collective bargaining
👉 single worker status
👉 a positive right to strike
Listen here: www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
John Hendy KC & Nicola Countouris discuss what’s missing in the #EmploymentRightsAct, including:
👉 sectorial collective bargaining
👉 single worker status
👉 a positive right to strike
Listen here: www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
Victory for ASLEF campaign to reduce the age at which train drivers can start.
“ASLEF has been campaigning for many years to lower the age at which drivers can start training”
www.ier.org.uk/news/victory...
“ASLEF has been campaigning for many years to lower the age at which drivers can start training”
www.ier.org.uk/news/victory...
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Victory for ASLEF campaign to reduce the age at which train drivers can start.
“ASLEF has been campaigning for many years to lower the age at which drivers can start training”
www.ier.org.uk/news/victory...
“ASLEF has been campaigning for many years to lower the age at which drivers can start training”
www.ier.org.uk/news/victory...
Government launches ERA consultations on fire and rehire, tipping, union recognition and electronic balloting.
The government are seeking views on a number of areas related to the Employment Rights Act 2025: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
The government are seeking views on a number of areas related to the Employment Rights Act 2025: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
February 9, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Government launches ERA consultations on fire and rehire, tipping, union recognition and electronic balloting.
The government are seeking views on a number of areas related to the Employment Rights Act 2025: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
The government are seeking views on a number of areas related to the Employment Rights Act 2025: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
What does the Employment Rights Act 2025 really mean for workers?
Launching Ep 1 of the IER’s latest podcast ‘Working Life’, Dr Nicola Countouris is joined by Lord John Hendy KC to discuss what’s in, what’s missing, and what still needs to change.
Listen now! www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
Launching Ep 1 of the IER’s latest podcast ‘Working Life’, Dr Nicola Countouris is joined by Lord John Hendy KC to discuss what’s in, what’s missing, and what still needs to change.
Listen now! www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
What does the Employment Rights Act 2025 really mean for workers?
Launching Ep 1 of the IER’s latest podcast ‘Working Life’, Dr Nicola Countouris is joined by Lord John Hendy KC to discuss what’s in, what’s missing, and what still needs to change.
Listen now! www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
Launching Ep 1 of the IER’s latest podcast ‘Working Life’, Dr Nicola Countouris is joined by Lord John Hendy KC to discuss what’s in, what’s missing, and what still needs to change.
Listen now! www.ier.org.uk/the-ier-podc...
Govt publishes updated timetable for key Employment Rights Act changes:
🔵 Majority of the Trade Union Act 2016 repealed on 18 Feb
🔵Fair Work Agency established on 7 April
🔵Fire and Rehire delayed from Oct '26 to Jan '27
See the full timetable here 👇
www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
🔵 Majority of the Trade Union Act 2016 repealed on 18 Feb
🔵Fair Work Agency established on 7 April
🔵Fire and Rehire delayed from Oct '26 to Jan '27
See the full timetable here 👇
www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
February 5, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Govt publishes updated timetable for key Employment Rights Act changes:
🔵 Majority of the Trade Union Act 2016 repealed on 18 Feb
🔵Fair Work Agency established on 7 April
🔵Fire and Rehire delayed from Oct '26 to Jan '27
See the full timetable here 👇
www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
🔵 Majority of the Trade Union Act 2016 repealed on 18 Feb
🔵Fair Work Agency established on 7 April
🔵Fire and Rehire delayed from Oct '26 to Jan '27
See the full timetable here 👇
www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
🛑 Birmingham City Council seeks injunction to ban ‘Megapickets’ and solidarity action.
Move would effectively ban protesters from delaying refuse lorries from leaving depots & comes just days after the largest #Megapicket of the dispute. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
Move would effectively ban protesters from delaying refuse lorries from leaving depots & comes just days after the largest #Megapicket of the dispute. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
🛑 Birmingham City Council seeks injunction to ban ‘Megapickets’ and solidarity action.
Move would effectively ban protesters from delaying refuse lorries from leaving depots & comes just days after the largest #Megapicket of the dispute. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
Move would effectively ban protesters from delaying refuse lorries from leaving depots & comes just days after the largest #Megapicket of the dispute. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
New course from GFTU Educational Trust, in association with IER - accredited by Birkbeck College, University of London:
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law and the Labour Movement.
4 modules | 19th March - 20th September 2026.
Details here 👉 gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law and the Labour Movement.
4 modules | 19th March - 20th September 2026.
Details here 👉 gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
February 4, 2026 at 11:17 AM
New course from GFTU Educational Trust, in association with IER - accredited by Birkbeck College, University of London:
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law and the Labour Movement.
4 modules | 19th March - 20th September 2026.
Details here 👉 gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law and the Labour Movement.
4 modules | 19th March - 20th September 2026.
Details here 👉 gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
Celebrating 50 years since the Employment Protection Act 1975.
Morrish Solicitors mark the Employment Protection Act 1975, fifty years after it came into force: www.ier.org.uk/news/celebra...
Morrish Solicitors mark the Employment Protection Act 1975, fifty years after it came into force: www.ier.org.uk/news/celebra...
February 2, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Celebrating 50 years since the Employment Protection Act 1975.
Morrish Solicitors mark the Employment Protection Act 1975, fifty years after it came into force: www.ier.org.uk/news/celebra...
Morrish Solicitors mark the Employment Protection Act 1975, fifty years after it came into force: www.ier.org.uk/news/celebra...
TikTok Moderators launch legal action over union busting, following 400 job cuts days before recognition ballot.
ier.org.uk/news/tiktok-...
ier.org.uk/news/tiktok-...
January 30, 2026 at 5:48 PM
TikTok Moderators launch legal action over union busting, following 400 job cuts days before recognition ballot.
ier.org.uk/news/tiktok-...
ier.org.uk/news/tiktok-...
Unfair dismissal: statutory cap to be removed from 1st January 2027
Government add Unfair Dismissal Factsheet to Employment Rights Act materials online. See breakdown here: www.ier.org.uk/news/unfair-...
Government add Unfair Dismissal Factsheet to Employment Rights Act materials online. See breakdown here: www.ier.org.uk/news/unfair-...
January 30, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Unfair dismissal: statutory cap to be removed from 1st January 2027
Government add Unfair Dismissal Factsheet to Employment Rights Act materials online. See breakdown here: www.ier.org.uk/news/unfair-...
Government add Unfair Dismissal Factsheet to Employment Rights Act materials online. See breakdown here: www.ier.org.uk/news/unfair-...
Birmingham City Council suspends all refuse services due to @strikemap.org’s ‘Megapicket 3-D’
Organisers say ‘Megapicket 3-D’ will not be the last unless @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social backs down on proposed pay cuts. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
Organisers say ‘Megapicket 3-D’ will not be the last unless @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social backs down on proposed pay cuts. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
January 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Birmingham City Council suspends all refuse services due to @strikemap.org’s ‘Megapicket 3-D’
Organisers say ‘Megapicket 3-D’ will not be the last unless @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social backs down on proposed pay cuts. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
Organisers say ‘Megapicket 3-D’ will not be the last unless @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social backs down on proposed pay cuts. www.ier.org.uk/news/birming...
Hundreds of Barnsley Hospital workers begin industrial action ballot over Fire and Rehire threat.
The majority of those affected are nursing staff working on the wards: www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
The majority of those affected are nursing staff working on the wards: www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
January 30, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Hundreds of Barnsley Hospital workers begin industrial action ballot over Fire and Rehire threat.
The majority of those affected are nursing staff working on the wards: www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
The majority of those affected are nursing staff working on the wards: www.ier.org.uk/news/hundred...
Retired Prison Officers hit by failing pension scheme administration
Capita took over the running of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in late 2025 and the system has been dogged with problems since. Via POA: www.ier.org.uk/news/retired...
Capita took over the running of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in late 2025 and the system has been dogged with problems since. Via POA: www.ier.org.uk/news/retired...
January 30, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Retired Prison Officers hit by failing pension scheme administration
Capita took over the running of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in late 2025 and the system has been dogged with problems since. Via POA: www.ier.org.uk/news/retired...
Capita took over the running of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in late 2025 and the system has been dogged with problems since. Via POA: www.ier.org.uk/news/retired...
Hospital cleaners win historic race discrimination appeal against Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has upheld the claim by 80 GOSH cleaners that the 18-month delay in transferring them onto full NHS terms was unlawful: www.ier.org.uk/news/hospita...
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has upheld the claim by 80 GOSH cleaners that the 18-month delay in transferring them onto full NHS terms was unlawful: www.ier.org.uk/news/hospita...
January 26, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Hospital cleaners win historic race discrimination appeal against Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has upheld the claim by 80 GOSH cleaners that the 18-month delay in transferring them onto full NHS terms was unlawful: www.ier.org.uk/news/hospita...
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has upheld the claim by 80 GOSH cleaners that the 18-month delay in transferring them onto full NHS terms was unlawful: www.ier.org.uk/news/hospita...
Rockstar Games workers denied interim relief as union busting case goes to Tribunal.
Rockstar could still be found guilty of unfair dismissal when the case goes to trial - says the IWGB union.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rocksta...
Rockstar could still be found guilty of unfair dismissal when the case goes to trial - says the IWGB union.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rocksta...
January 26, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Rockstar Games workers denied interim relief as union busting case goes to Tribunal.
Rockstar could still be found guilty of unfair dismissal when the case goes to trial - says the IWGB union.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rocksta...
Rockstar could still be found guilty of unfair dismissal when the case goes to trial - says the IWGB union.
www.ier.org.uk/news/rocksta...
Despite the Employment Rights Act 2025, the UK is still falling short of international labour standards, say European Committee of Social Rights: www.ier.org.uk/news/uk-stil...
January 23, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Despite the Employment Rights Act 2025, the UK is still falling short of international labour standards, say European Committee of Social Rights: www.ier.org.uk/news/uk-stil...
From Westminster to Santiago and back: what the UK’s and Chilean Minimum Service regulations teaches us about Authoritarianism and Democracy at Work. Fascinating new blog on the IER website by Manchester University’s Ricardo Buendia.
www.ier.org.uk/comments/fro...
www.ier.org.uk/comments/fro...
January 23, 2026 at 11:02 AM
From Westminster to Santiago and back: what the UK’s and Chilean Minimum Service regulations teaches us about Authoritarianism and Democracy at Work. Fascinating new blog on the IER website by Manchester University’s Ricardo Buendia.
www.ier.org.uk/comments/fro...
www.ier.org.uk/comments/fro...
8 in 10 parents trust education staff on AI as unions set out roadmap.
Major poll reveals 8 in 10 parents with a child in school or college (80%) trust educators to make decisions about AI in education.
www.ier.org.uk/news/8-in-10...
Major poll reveals 8 in 10 parents with a child in school or college (80%) trust educators to make decisions about AI in education.
www.ier.org.uk/news/8-in-10...
January 23, 2026 at 9:48 AM
8 in 10 parents trust education staff on AI as unions set out roadmap.
Major poll reveals 8 in 10 parents with a child in school or college (80%) trust educators to make decisions about AI in education.
www.ier.org.uk/news/8-in-10...
Major poll reveals 8 in 10 parents with a child in school or college (80%) trust educators to make decisions about AI in education.
www.ier.org.uk/news/8-in-10...
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law & the Labour Movement.
A brand new course examining labour law & labour movements as well as their history, seeking to provide insight into how & why the law operates as it does.
Sign up here: gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
A brand new course examining labour law & labour movements as well as their history, seeking to provide insight into how & why the law operates as it does.
Sign up here: gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
January 19, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Empowering Workers - a Trade Union Certificate in Labour Law & the Labour Movement.
A brand new course examining labour law & labour movements as well as their history, seeking to provide insight into how & why the law operates as it does.
Sign up here: gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
A brand new course examining labour law & labour movements as well as their history, seeking to provide insight into how & why the law operates as it does.
Sign up here: gftuet.org.uk/courses/empo...
Government publish Employment Rights Act draft codes of practice.
Documents published in advance of changes to be implemented on the 18th February 2026: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
Documents published in advance of changes to be implemented on the 18th February 2026: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
January 14, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Government publish Employment Rights Act draft codes of practice.
Documents published in advance of changes to be implemented on the 18th February 2026: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
Documents published in advance of changes to be implemented on the 18th February 2026: www.ier.org.uk/news/governm...
Assessing the legal & economic implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Analysis by Christine Carter (Cambridge Uni) Simon Deakin (Cambridge Uni), Conor McCormack (Dept for Business & Trade) and
Kamelia Pourkermani (Cambridge Uni): assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e23...
Analysis by Christine Carter (Cambridge Uni) Simon Deakin (Cambridge Uni), Conor McCormack (Dept for Business & Trade) and
Kamelia Pourkermani (Cambridge Uni): assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e23...
January 14, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Assessing the legal & economic implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Analysis by Christine Carter (Cambridge Uni) Simon Deakin (Cambridge Uni), Conor McCormack (Dept for Business & Trade) and
Kamelia Pourkermani (Cambridge Uni): assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e23...
Analysis by Christine Carter (Cambridge Uni) Simon Deakin (Cambridge Uni), Conor McCormack (Dept for Business & Trade) and
Kamelia Pourkermani (Cambridge Uni): assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e23...
Stronger parental leave rights “to give millions of working families the security they deserve”
Government announce new day one rights to parental leave, which are set to enter force from April: www.ier.org.uk/news/stronge...
Government announce new day one rights to parental leave, which are set to enter force from April: www.ier.org.uk/news/stronge...
January 12, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Stronger parental leave rights “to give millions of working families the security they deserve”
Government announce new day one rights to parental leave, which are set to enter force from April: www.ier.org.uk/news/stronge...
Government announce new day one rights to parental leave, which are set to enter force from April: www.ier.org.uk/news/stronge...