Labour's Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill is set to redefine workplace protections and employer responsibilities. With significant changes to probation periods, dismissal laws, zero-hour contracts, and harassment protections, this bill will affect millions of employers and employees across the UK. In the latest episode of our Employment Law Focus series, Hosts, Partner, Amy Stokes, and Partner, Charlie Rae, break down all the proposed changes from the comprehensive 150-page bill into 10 key takeaways: Unfair dismissal reforms: The bill removes the unfair dismissal qualifying period and introduces changes to probationary reviews, granting unfair dismissal rights to an additional 9 million employees. Firing and rehiring practices: While not outright banned, reforms address the high threshold for firing and rehiring, making the process significantly more challenging. Zero-hour contracts: Proposed changes aim to end “exploitative” zero-hour contracts, requiring employers to offer guaranteed hours, reasonable notice of changes to schedules, and compensation if shifts are cancelled or ended early. The duty to prevent sexual harassment: Employers will have a legal obligation to take “all” reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including incidents involving third parties. The bill also incorporates whistleblowing protections for sexual harassment claims. Trade union reforms: The repeal, in particular of the Trade Union Act, and the reduced notice period for strikes, could drastically hinder employers' ability to manage effectively during a period of strike or industrial action. Other topics covered include changes to flexible working requests, collective redundancy consultations, the establishment of a new fair work agency, day one leave rights, including the new bereavement leave entitlements, and the surprising aspects left out of the bill. The Employment Rights Bill is a game-changer for UK workplaces. Speak to our team to ensure your policies and practices are future-ready and aligned with all the latest reforms.