On the 6th April 2006 the revised Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 came into force.

These Regulations protect the rights of employees when their employer changes as the result of a transfer of an undertaking. When an employer seeks to buy a business, take over a contract for services or bring work “in-house”, the TUPE Regulations can apply.

Most commonly employers fail to adequately warn and consult with affected employees; seek to dismiss them either before or after the transfer, or attempt to amend their terms and conditions of employment.

Such action can give the employee the right to claim in the Employment Tribunal for compensation for a failure to warn or consult or for unfair dismissal. Changes made to an employees' contract can also be declared void.