Sir Brendan Barber, Chair of Acas, predicts that Brexit, gender pay, gig working, industrial disputes & the Trade Union Act will be key workplace issues in 2017. In making his predictions, Sir Brendan commented as follows:

• There is a great deal of uncertainty over how Brexit will impact on employment law, much of which is based on European directives and the position of overseas workers will be a very important issue.
• Large employers will have to report on differences between men and women’s pay from April this year. Acas will be launching new advice on best practice to help employers comply with the new law.
• Gig working has become a high-profile issue and Acas will be looking at gig work in more depth, plus issuing guidance on the many different types of employment status and accompanying workplace rights in 2017.
• As 2017 starts [with rail, tube and BA strikes], conciliating in disputes looks set to be another busy year for Acas and more elements of the Trade Union Act 2016 are likely to brought into effect.

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