In Pursuit of Talent — Episode 4: Employment Law — What Every Employer Needs to Know Right Now

Episode four goes somewhere close to home.

Lorraine has been working with Cas Carrington for over 20 years. She has delivered employment law seminars for Lorraine's clients, taken calls at all hours, and been a constant presence through some genuinely difficult times — professionally and personally. So before they get into the law, Lorraine takes a moment to say thank you. And if you've ever had someone in your corner like that, you'll understand why.

Right now, employment law is moving faster than it has in a generation — and whether you employ two people or two hundred, the obligations coming your way are the same.

About the guest

Cas is a partner at KLC Employment Law, with nearly four decades in the field. She began her career in HR and industrial relations before moving into consultancy, where she discovered a genuine passion for employment law. She joined KLC, became a partner, and has spent the years since advising clients on everything from day-to-day workplace challenges to employment tribunal representation. She has also taught on the CIPD Advanced Certificate of Employment Law and runs the widely attended Law on Tour events twice a year. Her reputation is built on making a complex subject genuinely compelling — and on giving practical, pragmatic advice that actually helps people run their businesses.

What we cover in this episode

Why the Employment Rights Act 2025 is just the beginning. The Act itself is the primary piece of legislation — but it comes with a long tail of regulations, codes of practice and statutory instruments that are still being worked out through consultation. Cas explains why keeping up with it all is a challenge even for the experts, and why employers need to start paying attention now rather than waiting for the dust to settle.

Trade union rights — the knock on the door you might not be expecting. Even organisations that have never given trade unions a second thought should be sitting up. The changes to union access rights, recognition rules and balloting requirements mean that employers who have historically had no union presence may find that changes. Cas explains what's shifting and why it could affect sectors that have never considered this a live issue.

The qualifying period for unfair dismissal is changing. The reduction in the qualifying period to bring an unfair dismissal claim is, in Cas's view, one of the most significant changes coming down the track. Tribunal waiting times are already a concern — this is only going to add pressure to a system that is already creaking.

Zero and low hours contracts — what we know, and what we're still waiting for. The changes don't just cover zero hours. Low hours will be caught too, though the definition is still to be confirmed. There'll be a regularity test based on roughly a 12-week reference period, and eligible workers will have the right to be offered guaranteed hours. For agencies, the obligation falls to the end user. Seasonal exceptions exist, but the detail is still emerging. Cas's advice: start auditing your casual workforce now.

Links mentioned in this episode

Employment law update with Lorraine and Cas — 30th September at the Lion - https://www.pursuitgroup.co.uk/employment-law-seminar/

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Episode five is on its way.