Personal appearance and behaviour

New and updated

• Type:

  How to

  How to ensure acceptable conduct at office parties and other work-related social events

  Provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 that strengthen the duty to prevent sexual harassment and introduce liability for third-party harassment are due to come into force on 30 October 2026.

• Type:

  FAQs

  Can employers be held liable for harassment that takes place during a work-related social event?

  The Employment Rights Act 2025 provisions introducing liability for third-party harassment and requiring employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment are due to come into effect on 30 October 2026. 

• Date:

  1 June 2026

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  Summer 2026: Eight potential issues for HR

  HR professionals in the UK face some unique challenges and employment issues in the summer of 2026. These include increased uncertainty over workers' annual leave plans because of world events; public transport disruption leading to attendance issues; and a heatwave meaning that employers should monitor workplace temperatures to ensure that they do not become unreasonable. It is also a World Cup year, which brings its own specific problems around absence, holiday and conduct.

• Date:

  28 April 2026

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  World Cup 2026: Employers' guide to workplace implications

  Employers are likely to see a significant amount of interest among their workforces in the World Cup 2026, so they should plan ahead to make the most of the impact that this large sporting event can have on staff morale, while also aiming to minimise disruption.

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Sporting events policy

  Updated to flag up that the football World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026. 

• Type:

  Training

  Handling difficult conversations - line manager training

  Reviewed and updated to reflect current language and best practice for line managers when conducting difficult conversations, including a new version of the PowerPoint presentation. 

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Use of mobile phones at work policy

  Updated to set out expectations on the use of private messaging apps, such as WhatsApp. 

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Use of email, instant messaging and internet at work policy

  Updated to set out expectations on the use of private messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, for work-related tasks and personal communication.

• Date:

  28 November 2024

  Type:

  Survey analysis

  Dress codes research 2024

  With organisations taking a more relaxed approach to dress codes, the new Brightmine research explores approaches to dress and appearance in 2024.

• Type:

  Training

  Personal workplace relationships - line manager training

  Updated to highlight that the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment came into force on 26 October 2024.