LRD guides and handbook

Latest guide and handbook - Law at Work 2025

Now in its 37th year, the Labour Research Department’s Law at Work is the definitive handbook on employment legislation and case law from a trade union perspective. Written for workers and their representatives, it explains the law clearly and shows how it can be used to protect and promote rights.

Covering all main areas of employment law — from contracts, pay, conditions and redundancy, to equality, industrial action and surveillance — it highlights key cases and points readers to the relevant legislation.

The handbook also signposts expected changes under Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, set to become law in late 2025, with phased measures such as day-one unfair dismissal rights and stronger union access to workplaces.

Widely trusted across the trade union movement, it remains an essential guide.

LRD guides and handbook all issues

The popular LRD Guides and Handbooks provide invaluable information on a range of trade union and labour movement concerns. Seven to eight booklets are usually produced each year. There are guides to issues that are permanently on the trade union agenda - such as health and safety, state benefits and sick pay - as well as rapid analysis of new developments affecting trade unionists - such as new employment laws and codes.