5 Must-Knows This Week:

1. Good Jobs Bill delayed, but due in March 2026 ⚖️
2. What can HR learn from The Traitors and workplace behaviour? 🕵️
3. Volunteers can count as workers when they are paid for activities 👥
4. Employee left off the Christmas guest list loses discrimination claim 🎄
5. ICO publishes new report on agentic AI and data privacy risks 🤖

In other news................have you claimed your FREE place on one of our new Skill Builder for HR series yet? Find out more HERE.

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. Skill Builder for HR
4. Good Jobs Bill
5. High Court Orders UAE to Pay over £260,000 in Groundbreaking Modern Slavery Case
6. Amazon in turmoil
7. Civil Service staffing challenges 'escalated' since 2020 report
8. Worker status: volunteers can be workers when paid for activities
9. Just in Case You Missed It...
10. HR Developments
11. Employment News in the Media
12. GB Developments
13. Free Webinars This Month

Dada v The Scottish Ministers [2026] EAT 13

Summary Description: 

Tribunal had erred in the test to be applied for the extension of time in a discrimination claim – EAT reiterates that the Court of Appeal decision in Adedeji provides the ‘best approach’ as to how such extensions should be determined.

Claimant: 

Oluwafunto Dada

Respondent: 

The Scottish Ministers

Practical Guidance for Employers:

The EAT provides some guidance on the provisions for the extension of time and the use of the just and equitable test.  It was made clear that the checklist approach that may have been favoured in older jurisprudence was not to be slavishly followed and that a more rounded picture, as favoured in Adedeji, would have to be adopted by the Tribunal.  As a result, the case was remitted back to allow for a decision on the extension of time to be considered in light of this decision and that of the Court of Appeal in Adedeji.

Read the Review in full: Dada v The Scottish Ministers [2026]

Peggie v Fife Health Board [2025] Case No: 4104864/2024

Summary Description: 

Claimant successful in harassment claim when she had been placed on leave having complained about a doctor, born as a male but living as a female, using the female changing spaces.

Claimant: 

 S Peggie

Respondent: 

Fife Health Board & Others

Practical Guidance for Employers:

This is only a Tribunal decision so it is possibly unfair to expect that it will resolve all issues or give absolute clarity on how matters relating to trans rights/gender critical ideology are to be dealt with within the workplace.  The For Women Scotland decision from the Supreme Court gave an overarching decision and from that there will percolate many questions and issues.  It will be a while before there can be clarity given to how employers are to resolve these matters.  The Tribunal here does not provide this clarity but it does outline how there should be an attempt at balance and that investigations should take a reasonable length of time and the 18 months faced by the claimant here was unreasonable.

Read the Review in full: Peggie v Fife Health Board [2025]

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These case reviews were written by Jason Elliott BL.  NI Tribunal decisions are available on the OITFET website.

If you have any queries or wish to comment on the reports please feel free to contact Jason at: jasondelliott@outlook.com 

Jason Elliott was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2013 and is the Associate Head of School of Law at Ulster University. As a practising barrister, he has developed a largely civil practice representing individuals, companies and public bodies in litigation.  This covers a wide range of areas including personal injuries, wills and employment law. In terms of employment law, he has represented both applicants and respondents in the Industrial Tribunal.   At Ulster University, Jason lectures extensively on the civil areas of practise such as Equity and Trusts and delivers employment law lectures for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Remember: Our case law reviews are held in our case law section on our fully-searchable employment law hub website.

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ICO publishes report on agentic AI and its data privacy implications

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published the latest report in its Tech Futures series on the topic of agentic AI (the Report). While not formal guidance, the Report is a useful indication of the ICO’s current thinking on this emerging technology, including the key data privacy risks to be considered, depending on its evolving capability and uptake. Slaughter and May provides guidance. 

You can access the ICO report here:  ICO tech futures: Agentic AI

AI for HR Weekly Podcast with Barry Phillips 🎙️

This week's episode: AI in the Workplace: Is it Still a Wild West? Our Survey Said…

You can tune into the latest episode right here - or, if you’re on the move, why not take us with you?

Listen on all major platforms: 🎧 Spotify🎧 Amazon Music 🎧 Apple Podcasts

Simply search for “AI for HR Weekly Podcast” and enjoy expert insights anytime, anywhere.

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📅Thursday, 19 February 2026
⏰12:30 - 14:00 ( 1 hour 30 mins )
📍Online

Part of the Skill Builder for HR: 6 x 6 series, monthly, 90-minute practical HR and employment law sessions designed exclusively for senior HR professionals and business leaders. Leading HR Consultant, Denise Collins from ForeBee Consulting, equips HR professionals in Northern Ireland with practical, step-by-step guidance to manage investigations confidently and effectively. More here.

Legal Island Employment Law Hub Members receive two FREE Skill builder places*

*As part of their subscription - worth £270. T&Cs apply.

Find out more about all the upcoming Skill Builder for HR sessions HERE. 

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On 21 January 2026, the Minister for the Economy informed the Committee for the Economy that the Good Jobs Bill will not be published by the previously planned deadline of the end January. While significant portions of the Bill have been drafted, outstanding elements will be presented to the Executive through detailed policy papers. Executive approval is required before the Bill can be introduced to the Assembly and referred to Committee for scrutiny.

The latest estimate for publication is March 2026, potentially towards the end of the month. Delays have been attributed to the complexity of the legislation, particularly provisions relating to trade union access and zero hours contracts, and the need to secure Executive agreement on certain policy proposals. The Minister stated that engagement with business organisations and trade unions has been worthwhile but has contributed to the extended timeline.

What to look out for:

• It is expected that the bulk of the drafted Bill and detailed policy proposals will be brought to the Executive within the next two weeks.
• The current Executive mandate ends in May 2027, so this is a tight window to pass what is a substantial Bill.

You can read the full Minutes of the Minister's contribution to the Committee here.

The Department of the Economy also delivered it’s 2-year progress report this week. Read it in full here. 

Parental Bereavement Leave in NI once step closer

The Department of the Economy is seeking public views on whether the proposed legislation is accurate, complete and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences. The deadline for submissions is 11/02/2026. Which is good news, because it means legislation is one step closer. Find our more and submit your views here.

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A Filipino domestic worker subjected to modern slavery by a diplomat in London, has secured a landmark judgment against the United Arab Emirates. This is believed to be the first time a court has awarded compensation against a foreign state liable for domestic servitude committed by one of its diplomats on UK soil. More from Deighton Pierce Glynn.

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Amazon confirms 16,000 job cuts after accidental email

US technology giant Amazon has confirmed it will cut 16,000 jobs - hours after it told staff about a new round of global redundancies in an email apparently sent in error. The email, which has been seen by the BBC, was sent late on Tuesday and refers to a swathe of employees in the US, Canada and Costa Rica having been laid off as part of an effort to "strengthen the company.” More here.

UPS to cut 30,000 jobs as it moves away from Amazon

The BBC reports parcel delivery giant UPS says it will cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it further reduces shipments for its biggest customer, Amazon. The world's largest package delivery company has been scaling back deliveries for the online retail giant, which it says are "extraordinarily dilutive" to its profit margins. UPS says the job cuts would be made through buyout offers to full-time drivers and by not replacing staff who leave the company voluntarily.

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The BBC reports staffing challenges at Northern Ireland's Civil Service have "escalated" since a 2020 report with almost 5,500 vacant posts reported by departments, Auditor General Dorinnia Carville has said. A new report has found that the civil service "hasn't delivered the scale and pace of reform" needed to demonstrate value for money in its workforce. More here. 

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In a key decision of relevance to any organisation relying on volunteers, the Court of Appeal has held that volunteers can be workers when they are entitled to be paid remuneration for performing activities related to their volunteer position. Hill Dickinson provides points for consideration. 

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The Employment Law Hub gives you expert, jurisdiction-specific employment law and HR updates in one place. Your subscription includes access to 1,100+ articles and 1,000+ case law reviews. Explore the Hub and catch up on recent articles below:

L is for Looking Ahead at HR Priorities in 2026

As Northern Ireland businesses enter 2026, the role of HR has never been more commercially critical. Charlotte Eakin from AAB People provides insights here.

What's happening in NI employment law in 2026?

Kevin Gallagher and Orla Bingham from Lewis Silkin outline what you need to know for the year ahead.

MCS Lunch and Learn: Level Up Your Recruitment Strategy for 2026

Catch up with the latest MCS Lunch and Learn webinar. Julie from Legal Island is joined by leading recruitment experts Rebekah Mulligan and Tara Duffy.

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What are The Traitors’ lessons for HR and the workplace?

According to The Times, in the Traitors UK series screened so far, although 32% of contestants have been non-white, ethnic minority people make up almost half of the early evictions. Out of the first 30 players to be murdered or banished, 14 of them were people of colour – equal to just under 47%. In each series, 20-plus contestants play for a prize pot of up to £120,000.

Of the 35 non-white players, 40% were knocked out by a third of the way through the series. There have been no non-white winners of the Traitors.

Older players are also at a disadvantage, with data showing those in their 60s more likely to be banished or murdered before younger participants.

Those with conditions that may be viewed as disabilities were also more vulnerable.

Personnel Today has more.

Did you know 31st January is ‘National Quitters Day’?

Workplace engagement specialists at Stribe have issued advice to employers as 31st January marks the peak day for UK job resignations across the nation. HR Director has more on this.

More than half of UK workers are found to be unhappy at work

Personnel Today reports research from Reward Gateway finds that only half (51%) of employees reported being frequently happy at work. Key findings include:

• More than a quarter of employees in the UK admitted to staying in their role for longer than they would have liked due to economic conditions, indicating mass discontent across the UK’s workforce.
  
• Unhappiness leads the way as the main cause, as only half (51%) of employees reported being frequently happy at work.
  
• Less than half (44%) also frequently feel valued, and more than a third (39%) of employees are stressed or overwhelmed on a regular basis.

You can read more here.

Endometriosis “the missed disease” in the workplace

Despite endometriosis affecting around 1 in 10 women, it is often referred to as “the missed disease”. Consequently, many employers know very little about it. Doctor and women’s hormone expert, Dr Louise Newson, explains what endometriosis is and what employers can do in order to support those in the workplace affected by endometriosis. More.
 
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A consultant ecologist who was left off the guest list for her employer’s Christmas gathering has lost her discrimination case. Ms Caughman, who was on sick leave, could not access her work emails as the firm had removed access, believing messages might increase her stress levels. Caughman noticed she had not been invited to the Christmas party and contacted managers for an explanation. Echoes Ecology apologised, saying the decision was based on occupational health guidance and her own indication that returning to work felt too difficult. More from Employee Benefits.

Morrisons bosses are locked in a dispute over pay increases with the union Usdaw, who represent around 45,000 Morrisons staff. Bosses have refused to offer a pay increase beyond the national living wage — the lowest rate it is legally bound to offer - according to reports. More from LBC News. 

A network of female general counsel has called on the Law Society to withdraw whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers, arguing that it “entrenches the longstanding bias against reporting”. More from Legal Futures. 

The BBC has issued an official apology to a radio host who experienced homophobic abuse while working at the corporation. Radio presenter Jack Murley alleged that during his time at the BBC, where he worked as a presenter for BBC Radio Cornwall for five years, staff members used the homophobic slurs “poof” and “fairy boy” in his presence; he was told by another that gay people are “a lot more likely to die of AIDS”. Pink News has more on this story. 

An Italian firm has been accused of turning layoffs into a real-life version of Squid Game after sending staff a questionnaire asking them to name colleagues who should be sacked. The form, circulated shortly before Christmas, asked employees at Bluergo to decide 'which of your colleagues would you send home?', triggering outrage among workers and trade unions. More here from MSN.

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NB: Please note these articles relate to GB and do not apply in Northern Ireland, unless otherwise stated.

Probation in the spotlight - How are they impacted by the GB Employment Rights Act 2025?

The GB Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) introduces some of the most significant changes to UK employment law in decades, with reforms beginning in 2026 and continuing into 2027. One area set to become increasingly important is the effective use of probationary periods. Historically treated by some employers as a procedural formality, probation will soon become a crucial legal safeguard as dismissal rights strengthen and employee protections expand. Foot Ansey LLP looks at what employers need to know.

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Employment Law at 11 is taking a well-earned break but don’t worry, we’ll be back shortly, refreshed and ready to dive into more of the latest in employment law!

But you can catch up on anything you missed on the Employment Law Hub, or if you prefer your podcasts on the move, search for 'Employment Law at 11' on Spotify or Apple Music!

Enjoy your weekend!

Legal Island

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