An administrator has had an unfair dismissal claim upheld after being dismissed for using work devices for online shopping during working hours. The case raises important questions about workers’ rights, proper disciplinary processes and employer surveillance.
The Labour Party, founded 125 years ago to defend the rights of workers, is now on the verge of delivering one of the most significant reforms to UK employment law since the 1970s.
In its 2024 election campaign, Labour pledged to reverse decades of Conservative restrictions on workers’ rights and trade union freedoms. That promise is now close to being fulfilled through the Employment Rights Bill, first launched by Angela Rayner in October. After approval by the House of Commons in March, the bill has now passed its third reading in the House of Lords following 13 hours of debate.
Although some amendments remain, the government insists the bill will deliver the most sweeping upgrade to workers’ protections in half a century.
The leader of the UK’s largest trade union has warned the government that watering down the Employment Rights Bill would be a “huge mistake” for workers.
Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, said she is deeply concerned that the government may no longer be committed to delivering the full package of promised workers’ rights reforms. Her warning follows the departure of Angela Rayner and a major cabinet reshuffle, which saw key ministers supportive of the bill moved or replaced. Other trade unions have echoed these concerns.
The Employment Rights Bill—expected to become law in the coming weeks—represents one of the most significant changes to employment law in decades. Proposals include stronger protection from unfair dismissal, a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, and new rights for flexible working.
A landmark legal case against Amazon’s union-busting tactics in the UK began this week, powered by the stories of workers like Ceferina Floresca. After suffering a heart attack while working at the Coventry warehouse, Ceferina returned to work to find a “letter of concern” from Amazon. She soon discovered the company’s concern was not for her health, but a warning about her absence during recovery.
This is the human face of the fight for workers’ rights.
Ceferina’s experience is a key reason why 878 Amazon workers in Coventry, supported by the GMB union, have launched the first British legal challenge against Amazon’s aggressive anti-union tactics. They allege the tech giant used a campaign of intimidation and dirty tricks to illegally sway a critical union recognition vote, which Amazon narrowly won by just 15 votes.