In reaction to the government unveiling the Employment Rights Bill today, Salford Business School’s HR and employment law expert, Dr Jonathan Lord, shares his thoughts.
“The UK government published its long-promised package of reforms to worker rights on Thursday, billed as the biggest overhaul to employment law in a generation.
“The legislation presented to parliament today, includes 28 policies such as introducing day one employment rights for paternity, parental, and bereavement leave, abolishing fire and rehire, and modernising trade union laws, as well as the abolition of “exploitative” zero-hours contracts.
“In delivering the Employment Rights Bill, Labour has met its manifesto promise to legislate on its “plan to make work pay” within 100 days of the general election. But, in doing so, it has left many of the big decisions for later.
“The bill will also repeal two Conservative acts that restricted trade unions and strike action. It also introduces new protections for workers, including safeguards against dismissal and blacklisting for union activity, ensures workers are aware of their right to join a union, simplifies the statutory recognition process, and grants union officials greater access to workplaces for organising, recruiting and representing members.
“The proposed reforms are not expected to take effect for another 18 months and even then, they will likely be modified after further consultations with key stakeholders, such as unions and employer representatives.”