Business Law Library & Tracker

Employment Contracts & Policies

Employment terms, workplace policies, staff handbooks and contract changes.

Sources last reviewed 14 Sept 2026

Main law guides

122

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

145

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

16

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

Get legal help

Main laws

Tracker

  1. Commenced25 Aug 2026

    Government updates the Employment Rights Act timetable

    UK employers should plan by legal start date. Tribunal diary rules need updating for October, harassment prevention and third-party controls need review before 30 October, and probation and dismissal systems should be prepared for the measures currently scheduled for January 2027.

    Employment & WorkplaceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesEmployment Contracts & Policies
  2. Case12 Aug 2026

    Supreme Court confirms effective-cause test for part-time worker treatment

    UK employers should test uniform fees, benefits and eligibility rules for their practical effect on part-time workers. Any objective justification should be evidence-based and considered separately from whether the policy creates less favourable treatment.

    Employment & WorkplaceWages, Leave & PayrollEmployment Contracts & Policies

Cases

UK Supreme Court[2026] UKSC 3012 Aug 2026

Augustine v Data Cars Limited

An arrangement is not automatically fair because everyone receives the same rule or pays the same fixed amount. Compare a part-time worker with a suitable full-time...

Read explainer
Employment & WorkplaceWages, Leave & PayrollEmployment Contracts & PoliciesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
High Court of Justice[2026] EWHC 508 (Ch)10 Mar 2026

Ian Paul McKavney v Serco Group Plc & Ors

The lesson is narrow but useful. Do not assume that moving employees out of one group pension arrangement automatically gives them an immediate unreduced pension,...

Read explainer
Employment Contracts & PoliciesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesTelecommunications, Media & ContentConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
UK Supreme Court[2024] UKSC 2812 Sept 2024

Tesco Stores Ltd v USDAW

Employers should be careful with promises described as permanent, guaranteed or protected. Cost pressure later may not justify undoing a carefully negotiated...

Read explainer
Employment & WorkplaceContracts & CommercialEmployment Contracts & PoliciesDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2023] EWCA Civ 14017 Feb 2023

Vadim Don Benyatov v Credit Suisse (Securities) Europe Ltd

The practical lesson is about clarity, scope and risk allocation. An employer may owe recognised duties of care and may have to reimburse some expenses or...

Read explainer
Employment & WorkplaceEmployment Contracts & PoliciesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesRestraints, Confidentiality & Trade SecretsDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
High Court of Justice[2020] EWHC 591 (IPEC)12 Mar 2020

Trailfinders Ltd v Travel Counsellors Ltd & Ors

For ordinary businesses, the lesson is simple: do not treat customer lists as fair game just because a recruit knows the customers, can remember some details, or...

Read explainer
Privacy & DataEmployment Contracts & PoliciesRestraints, Confidentiality & Trade SecretsDirectors' Duties & GovernanceDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & DealershipsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2016] EWCA Civ 131423 Dec 2016

The English Electric Company Ltd v Alstom UK

Do not assume a historic employee claim stays with the original employer after a business transfer. In this case, the court held that wording about claims arising...

Read explainer
Employment & WorkplaceEmployment Contracts & PoliciesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesWorkplace Health & SafetyDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesInsurance Policies & Claims