June HR Hub Insights: What’s Changing in Employment Law – And What HR Needs to Do About It
At our June 2025 HR Hub, hosted in partnership with RWK Goodman, we were joined by Kate Benefer, Employment Partner at RWK Goodman and her colleagues Sophie Waller and Erin Page for a vital update on key legal developments. From the Employment Rights Bill to the latest thinking on AI transparency, sponsorship, and parental leave, this session gave HR professionals the tools they need to stay informed, compliant, and confident.
Throughout the webinar, we ran live polls to capture current practices and employer sentiment across the region. Here’s a look at the key takeaways.
Is AI Being Used in HR Yet?
We asked: Do you use AI for any of your HR processes?
- 31% said Yes
- 62% said No
- 7% said Don’t know
They discussed the ICO’s new draft Code of Practice on AI and explained the importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability when using any automated tools in recruitment or decision-making. With upcoming regulations likely, organisations will need clear policies and communication frameworks in place.
How Employers Are Using Flexible Resource Models
We asked about agency and zero-hour staffing:
- 56% of organisations use agency staff
- 35% use zero-hour contracts
- 65% do not use zero-hour contracts
These results indicate that many employers continue to rely on external and flexible resources to support their workforce. Whether in response to budget challenges, project work, or talent shortages, temporary and agency support remains a strategic option.
Are Organisations Sponsoring Overseas Workers?
We asked: Are you currently a sponsor?
- 60% said Yes
- 39% said No
- 1% said No, but considering it
This reflects the ongoing importance of skilled migration in the Oxfordshire talent market, despite increasing pressure on visa compliance and monitoring. We were walked through the most recent guidance and explained how sponsors can avoid common pitfalls.
Toilet Facilities and Inclusion
We also asked: For toilets in your workplace, do you offer...
- 48% said Men only, women only, and unisex
- 33% said Single sex options only
- 19% said All unisex
While the topic may seem operational, it’s one of many areas where legal and cultural expectations around inclusion are evolving – and employers are adapting accordingly.
Key Legal Updates Shared in the Session
Several important legal changes and updates were covered, including:
- Neonatal Care Leave – Now in force as of April 2025, offering 12 weeks’ paid leave for parents of babies requiring neonatal care
- Employment Rights Bill – Proposed reforms around redundancy consultation, fire and rehire, annual leave calculation, and trade union rights
- ICO AI Guidance – New obligations on employers to be transparent and fair in the use of HR tech
- Case law developments – including the recent Supreme Court ruling on biological sex under the Equality Act, and updated thinking on restrictive covenants
Final Thoughts
This was a packed session, full of legal insight and practical tips for HR leaders. Kate, Sophie and Erin emphasised the need to stay ahead of developments, not just to remain compliant, but to build fairer, more resilient and future-ready workplaces.
We’d like to thank RWK Goodman for their continued partnership and all attendees for joining us. Your feedback and poll responses help shape future sessions and keep our community informed.
Our Next HR Hub - Save the Date
We’re taking a short summer break, but the HR Hub returns on September 18th with RWK Goodman for another Employment Law Update. We’ll be sharing more details about this event closer to the time, so stay tuned!