Key Employment Law Developments in the UK and Ireland in 2023
**Title: Employment Law Developments in the UK and Ireland: A Mid-Year Review**
In the fast-paced world of employment law, changes can happen in the blink of an eye. The first half of 2023 has been no exception, with significant developments across the UK and Ireland keeping employers on their toes. To help navigate these changes, Lewis Silkin has updated its Comparative Table in collaboration with Legal Island, providing a comprehensive overview of recent updates in Great Britain (GB), Northern Ireland (NI), and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
One of the key highlights in GB is the proposed Brexit Freedoms Bill, which includes scrapping the sunset clause and introducing reforms to the Working Time Regulations and TUPE consultation requirements. Notably, the proposal to allow rolled-up holiday pay for all workers has sparked interest and could have far-reaching implications for holiday pay practices.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) continue to be top priorities for many employers, with the EU Pay Transparency Directive finalised and set to be implemented by June 2026. This directive will make gender pay gap reporting compulsory for many employers across Europe, prompting changes in gender pay reporting regimes in ROI and GB.
Family rights have also seen significant developments, with new baseline rights for carers and working parents introduced as part of the EU Work-life Balance Directive. GB and ROI are taking steps to align with these new rights, including introducing carers leave and neonatal leave provisions.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated changes in working practices, leading to an increase in flexible and remote working arrangements. GB and ROI are preparing for employees to make flexible working requests, while discussions around a potential four-day working week are gaining momentum.
ESG issues remain a key focus for many organisations, with changes in whistleblowing legislation and reforms to the Modern Slavery Act expected to impact reporting requirements and supply chain governance.
As the year progresses, employers can expect further developments in employment law, shaping the way they manage their workforce and navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. Stay ahead of the curve with Lewis Silkin’s Comparative Table, providing valuable insights and guidance for employers in the UK and Ireland.
For more information and to download the Comparative Table, visit [here](https://lewissilkin.com/-/media/comparative-table-2023.pdf?la=en&hash=73E42031BAC3935FF9010E7F19098945A3D6AD4A).