In May 2023 we reported how the UK government made a series of announcements in respect of proposed reforms to two areas of law derived from the EU – the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) and the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) – and launched consultations on its proposals. The government
Employment Law Watch
Analysis and commentary by Reed Smith attorneys on developments in employment and labor law
Latest from Employment Law Watch
California employment law legislative update: bills that will become law in 2024 and beyond
We previously alerted employers to California employment law bills that were still alive toward the end of the most recent legislative session. That session ended on September 14, 2023 and Governor Newsom had until October 14, 2023 to either sign, approve without signing, or veto the bills that survived. Below is an update on the…
How Artificial Intelligence is Impacting the U.S. Workplace (Part II)
As detailed in the first installment of our multipart series, artificial intelligence (AI) and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) have had a sweeping impact on the U.S. workplace. As we will detail in this second installment, employers have implemented AI and GAI measures to assist with various aspects of the employment relationship, from recruiting through separation…
What will changes to the UK flexible working regime mean for employers?
Changes to the UK’s statutory regime for flexible working have been in discussion for several years, but reforms are now coming to fruition.
Improving flexibility for the modern working environment has been on the agenda for many years, and the flexible working movement gained further momentum following COVID-19 lockdowns, with developments in technology making remote…
USCIS establishes permanent optional remote Form I-9 inspection procedure for E-Verify employers and releases new version of Form I-9 for all employers
Beginning August 1, 2023, the U.S Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have now established a new procedure to allow employers who participate in E-Verify and are in good standing, to conduct remote inspection of an employee’s documents when completing Form I-9. USCIS has also released an updated version of…
Labour party considering a right to switch off for workers
The Labour party is considering a proposal to introduce a “right to disconnect” (a so-called right to switch off) if it wins the next general election. It follows an increasing trend since 2017, especially across Europe, of introducing restrictions on employers contacting workers outside normal working hours or protecting employees who choose not to engage…
DHS rolls back COVID-Era remote inspection flexibility for Form I-9 documents
Remote inspection of Form I-9 documents is about to become a thing of the past (at least for now). According to a recent Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announcement, employers will no longer be allowed to remotely inspect employees’ Form I-9 documents as of July 31, 2023, and employers who remotely inspected employees’ Form…
What now for the four-day working week?
As reported on our blog in November, the idea of a four-day working week is gaining momentum in the UK. Last month, the not-for-profit organisation, 4 Day Week Global, reported the results of its six-month UK trial. With 92% of reporting companies confirming they will continue with the four-day week, the trial has been…
New Jersey WARN Act changes effective April 10, 2023
Pursuant to a Bill recently signed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the long-delayed changes to New Jersey’s mini-WARN Act will take effect on April 10, 2023. Employers in New Jersey contemplating a mass layoff, transfer of operations or termination of operations that will impact 50 or more employees (regardless of part-time or full-time status)…
Is a four-day working week the future for UK employers?
In mid-October 2022, Parliament has debated, for the first time, a proposal to implement a four-day working week in the UK. The bill, proposed by Labour, would reduce maximum working hours per week to 32 with no corresponding reduction in pay. Whilst it is unlikely that the bill will get very far (it is not…