Transgender people have experienced considerable media attention this year which offers opportunity to reflect on this group's status within employment regulations. The unfortunate reality is that trans people still face varying levels of equality, if not in substance rather than objective.

Beginning this month, fathers and partners will be given access to unpaid time off work to accompany a woman at two ante-natal appointments. The right allows for up to sex and a half hours off per appointment and is extended to spouses, same-sex, civil and long-term partners with the child’s biological father being permitted the same rights. 

In April, the UK Government announced the arrival of the Carr Review – an independent review into the law governing industrial disputes. The review, to be led by Bruce Carr QC, was supposed to investigate extreme ‘leverage tactics’ and examine whether or not the law in its current form provides adequate protection against intimidation and abuse.