So, we have a new Government in the UK and they’ve pledged to introduce some groundbreaking legislation to Parliament within the first 100 days of its opening.
What does this mean for employers? Here’s a look ahead to what has been promised in Labour’s manifesto and what could be coming soon:
🚀 Day-One Rights: No more waiting! Basic rights like unfair dismissal, sick pay, and parental leave will kick in from your first day on the job.
🤝 Equal Status for All Workers: Say goodbye to the confusing distinctions between employees and workers. Everyone will enjoy the same basic rights and protections.
💪 Strengthened Worker Protections: Enhanced rights for pregnant workers, whistleblowers, and those facing redundancy. Plus, a push for employers to support terminally ill workers through the “Dying to Work” charter.
📜 Written Contracts for the Self-Employed: Ensuring self-employed individuals have the right to a written contract.
💸 Higher Wages for All: Age-related pay bands will be removed, and the Low Pay Commission will consider the cost of living in its recommendations. Plus, travel time and “sleep over” hours will be paid in sectors like social care.
🏥 Better Sick Pay: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be available for all workers from day one, with no waiting period and fair earnings replacement.
🍽️ Fair Tips for Hospitality Workers: Hospitality workers will receive their tips in full, and they’ll decide how tips are shared.
📊 Closing Pay Gaps: Firms with over 250 staff will be required to publish ethnicity and disability pay gaps.
🛡️ Harassment-Free Workplaces: Employers will need to ensure workplaces are free from harassment, including by third parties.
🕒 Flexible Working for Everyone: Flexible working will be the default from day one, unless it’s not reasonably feasible.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Policies: Parental leave will be a day-one right. There will also be new rights for bereavement leave and protections for pregnant employees.
👩⚕️ Support for Carers: A review of carer’s leave with a look at introducing paid carer’s leave.
⏰ Fair Zero-Hours Contracts: After 12 weeks of regular hours, workers will get a contract reflecting those hours. Plus, fair notice for shift changes and compensation for cancelled shifts.
🔥 Fire and Re-Hire Protections: Stronger consultation procedures and better protections against unfair dismissal and redundancy.
🌿 Wellbeing Focus: Enhanced support for workers’ physical and mental health, including those with Long Covid.
🌸 Menopause Support: Employers with over 250 employees will need to create Menopause Action Plans.
🔌 Right to Disconnect: Introducing a new right to switch off and protection from remote surveillance.
🤖 AI and Tech in the Workplace: Collaborating with experts to understand AI’s impact on jobs and skills.
✊ Stronger Trade Union Laws: Easier union recognition, better protection for union reps, and informing workers of their union rights in contracts.
⚖️ Enforcement of Rights: Extending the time limit for employment tribunal claims to six months and establishing a single enforcement body for worker rights.
Watch this space! We will keep you updated and will proactively work with our retained clients to manage and implement the policy changes required.
Additionally, we’d be delighted to support any business with the navigation of these significant changes to ensure legal compliance.
