Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP
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Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP
Ranked Band 1 for Employment Law by Chambers and Partners
 

The Employment Law Bulletin

June 2026
 

Welcome to the June issue of our employment law bulletin. As well as our regular look at the latest developments with the Employment Rights Act, this month we report on two recent cases of particular interest to employers. The first looks at the complexities of handling a positive drug test arising from medicinal cannabis. Our second case considers "improper conduct" in the context of protected conversations. We also look beyond the headlines at other employment law developments that have caught our attention. You can also find details of our upcoming webinars, our latest podcasts and other useful resources for employers.
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Featured article

Medicinal cannabis and workplace drug testing

A positive drug test, particularly for a medically prescribed drug, should always be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Webinars

Essential Employment Law Webinars

Our essential employment law webinars are taking a short summer break but will return in August when we will be looking at Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace.

We will be joined by Dr Sigi Joseph and Dr Jane Catley from The Doctor Explains who will provide a doctor's perspective, with the focus on prevention being better than cure.

Our webinars last for approximately 50 minutes, are free to attend and apply to the law of Scotland, England, and Wales, offering practical and valuable legal insight.

You can view our latest webinars here, including our most recent webinar on "Five difficult employee scenarios and how to solve them", with helpful guidance for employers.

"Very informative, pitched at the right level with excellent delivery, and consistently insightful, clear and current."
 
– Essential employment law webinar attendee
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June update

Employment Rights Act

Stay up to date with the progress of the Employment Rights Act 2025 through our monthly updates which outline key developments and what this means in practice for employers.
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Protected conversations

Getting protected conversations right

A warning for employers on the limits of protected conversations and how "improper behaviour" can make them admissible as evidence before an Employment Tribunal.
 

Preparing for the Employment Rights Act changes

We offer a practical, tailored half day training course for HR and business leaders, focusing on the steps employers can take to prepare for the changes coming into force as a result of the Act. For further details of our training course, please contact us here.
 
Podcast

MFMac: Employment Law

Our latest podcast episodes are now live, with David Hossack being joined by Elise Turner to discuss the reported rise in polygamous working and what employers can do to address this trend.
 
Podcast Series

Immigration for Employers

Stuart McWilliams joins host David Hossack to share practical insights. New episodes are released on the third Monday of each month covering compliance, sponsorship and workforce planning.
Round-up

Beyond the headlines

Away from the main stories, we highlight our selection of the employment law related news, developments and trends that caught our attention over the past month.
Employment team
Sarah Gilzean
Training

Preventing sexual harassment and third-party harassment

Employers already have a duty to prevent sexual harassment but from October 2026, employers will require to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers will also become liable for third party harassment. We can provide tailored support and training to help you comply with your obligations and reduce the risk of claims.

To find out more, click the link below or email Sarah Gilzean here.

Contact us

 

Our partners lead one of the largest employment law teams in Scotland, with more Law Society of Scotland accredited employment law specialists than any other firm.
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Innes Clark

Head of Employment Team
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Lindsey Cartwright

Partner
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Alan Delaney

Partner
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Sarah Gilzean

Partner
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Kenny Scott

Partner
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Stuart McWilliams

Partner, Business Immigration

"The team consistently delivers high quality advice, making often complex legal issues easy to understand"
 
– Chambers and Partners 2026 Edition
 
     

Edinburgh Office
9 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8RY
DX number: ED119
+44 (0) 131 247 1000
edinburgh@mfmac.com

Glasgow Office
60 York St, Glasgow, G2 8JX
DX number: GW70
+44 (0)141 303 1100
glasgow@mfmac.com

Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP, referred to as MFMac, is a limited liability partnership registered in Scotland. Our registration number is SO300472 and our registered office is at: 9 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8RY. Our VAT registration number is GB269 1293 36.