Impending UK sports employment reforms: zero-hours, maternity, day 1 protections
On 17 July 2024, King Charles delivered The King’s Speech 2024[1] (the Speech), and in doing so laid out the legislative changes that may lie ahead under the new Labour government. Though we will have to wait until later in the year, or indeed beyond, to discover the specific details of many of the proposals, the Speech and its accompanying background briefing notes[2] make it clear that fundamental reforms lie ahead.
This article examines a number of the employment law reforms detailed within the ‘Employment Rights Bill’, introduced in the Speech, before providing a commentary on how such changes may affect sport. With a specific focus on what impact the potential employment law reforms may have on sports organisations, this article will address three main areas:
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- Tags: Contract Law | Cricket | Employment Law | UK
Written by
Oliver Hinds
Oliver Hinds is a trainee solicitor at Myerson Solicitors. Prior to joining Myerson, Oliver graduated from Durham University with a 2:1 degree in Law.
During his final year at university, Oliver wrote his dissertation on sports arbitration. Oliver’s interest in sports law has also seen him spend time at various sports law firms, and finish in Third Place in Littleton Chambers’ 2023 Sports Law Essay Competition. Additionally, Oliver is a Regional County FA Commission Member at the FA.
Robert Lassey
Robert Lassey is a Barrister at 9 St John Street Chambers specialising in sports and employment law.Despite his relatively junior level of call (2016), Robert has quickly developed a formidable track record of successfully appearing on behalf of multiple parties in technically complex heavyweight cases which would ordinarily be reserved for significantly more senior Counsel.
Constantly in demand with Partners and Senior Solicitors from some of the UK's most distinguished law firms, he predominantly acts for high-net-worth individuals and large sports organisations, as well as various local authorities and NHS trusts.
Andy Boyde
Andy Boyde is a former professional rugby union player and a Legal Director within the Employment Team at Consilia Legal. Andy qualified as an employment law specialist in September 2015. Andy advises businesses and individuals in both contentious and non-contentious matters including: shareholder/Director exit disputes; employment tribunal litigation; drafting employment contracts, handbooks and policies; advice on enforcement and pursuit of restrictive covenants; and sport related matters including exits, disciplinaries and contracts.
