Employment Law Radar: What’s Changing & What Businesses Need to Know

Employment law is continuing to shift towards greater employer responsibility — especially for SMEs.

Here are the key changes to be aware of, and how to prepare without overcomplicating things.

What’s changing

• Stronger duty to prevent sexual harassmentEmployers are now expected to take proactive steps — not just react to complaints.

• Flexible working expectationsRequests can be made from day one, and decisions must be handled consistently and reasonably.

• Greater scrutiny of people decisionsRegulators and tribunals are increasingly focused on process, fairness and evidence.

  
  

What businesses should do now

• Review how managers handle sensitive conversations

• Update HR templates and guidance to reflect current expectations

• Ensure decisions are consistent, documented and defensible

  
  

The help you need

EngageTalent supports businesses with practical guidance, up-to-date templates and insight-led HR support, helping you stay compliant between consultancy touchpoints — without relying on generic advice or outdated documents.

What’s coming in the next 6–12 months

• Continued expansion of employee rights and protections

• Increased expectations on employer accountability and workplace culture

• Less tolerance for informal or inconsistent HR practices in growing businesses

  
  

How to prepare (without panic)

• Build basic, repeatable HR processes now

• Equip managers with clear guidance, not just policies

• Know when to self-serve — and when to escalate for advice

  
  

Let us assist

EngageTalent provides self-serve HR support, legal insight and real-world templates to help businesses prepare early, reduce risk and make confident people decisions — supported by expert consultancy when it really matters.