Changes To TUPE: A More Business Friendly Approach

Today sees the introduction of changes to TUPE, the legislation which protects employees in a transfer situation in the UK.  The changes will affect all employers, including franchisors and franchisees, for example on the creation or assignment of a franchise, or on its termination. 
 
The changes follow a call for evidence and subsequent consultation by the UK Government, whose stated aim was to improve and simplify TUPE and to remove any unnecessary "gold plating" of the EU Acquired Rights Directive.   
 
The final amendments are perhaps not as far reaching as originally envisaged, but they do include a number of business friendly changes which should give franchisors and franchisees (particularly micro businesses employing less than 10 employees) greater flexibility when dealing with people issues in a transfer situation.