Welcome to the December edition of HR Law.

• Age discrimination and costs considerations 
• Firm could rely on self-employed stockbroker's repudiatory conduct to justify summary termination 
• Right to be protected from detriment on health and safety grounds should extend to workers
• New shielding guidance published
• New DBS guidance published removing the requirement for automatic disclosure of youth cautions, reprimands and warnings
• National minimum wage increases announced for April 2021
• Call for Evidence launched on disability employment gap
• Acas early conciliation period extended 

Future of Work

The end of any year is a time for reflection, and as we look back on 2020, it's probably safe to say it hasn't been the year anyone predicted.  The Future of Work arrived this year!  Employers, HR professionals (and employment lawyers!) have had an incredibly challenging year in all sectors whether dealing with the rapid implementation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or handling PPE shortages for frontline staff, as well as adapting to large scale working from home and hybrid working. 

Here at Trowers' Towers, we have enjoyed adapting to online events, and bringing you Trowers Tuesdays!  We hope you'll join us for a light-hearted look back at the year, in our Trowers Tuesdays quiz next week!  And for those of you who enjoy your quizzes "on paper" we also have our annual Christmas Quiz coming soon to your inboxes where this year Santa needs your advice more than ever with Elves who want to work from home and Reindeer self-isolating! There will be a bottle of fizz, for the winner!  

With a vaccine now on the horizon, despite ongoing COVID19 restrictions at the moment, perhaps we can be hopeful about 2021.  

For now, we wish all our clients, colleagues and readers a safe, happy and healthy holiday season, and we look forward to continuing supporting you prepare, develop and deliver the Future of Work in the new year.