Employment rights bill: what’s new?
The UK government's Employment Rights Bill, introduced in October 2024, proposes significant reforms aimed at enhancing workers' rights and modernizing employment practices. These changes are set to impact various aspects of employment, including job security, leave entitlements, and workplace protections.
Key Reforms
Day-One Employment Rights: All employees will gain immediate access to rights such as paternity leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, and protection against unfair dismissal, eliminating the current requirement of two years of service for unfair dismissal claims.
Enhanced Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): The three-day waiting period for SSP will be removed, and the lower earnings limit will be abolished, making SSP available from the first day of illness to all workers, regardless of earnings.
Flexible Working as the Default: Flexible working arrangements will become standard from day one of employment, with employers required to accommodate such requests unless they can provide a valid reason for refusal
Zero-Hours Contracts Restrictions: The bill aims to end zero-hours contracts and prohibit "fire and rehire" practices, ensuring job security and predictability for workers.
Strengthened Harassment Protections: Employers will be mandated to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment based on any protected characteristic, including liability for third-party harassment.
Collective Redundancy Consultation Changes: The requirement for collective redundancy consultation will now apply across all sites and workplaces, not just a single establishment, affecting employers planning redundancies across multiple locations.
Gender Equality Action Plans: Large employers (250+ employees) will be required to publish annual Gender Equality Action Plans, addressing gender pay gaps and supporting menopausal employees.
Parental and Bereavement Leave Enhancements: The bill introduces expanded parental and bereavement leave entitlements, including two weeks' leave for the loss of a child and one week for other close relatives or dependents.
The Employment Rights Bill represents a substantial shift in UK employment law, aiming to provide workers with greater security and benefits from the outset of their employment. Employers should proactively review and adjust their policies and practices to ensure compliance with these forthcoming changes, fostering a fair and supportive workplace environment
Read full article here: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1911159/employment-rights-bill-whats-new?bulletin=pm-daily&utm_source=mc&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20250321_PM+Daily_NWL_CIPD_GLO_MIX_MAN_NA.https%3a%2f%2fwww.peoplemanagement.co.uk%2farticle%2f1911159%2femployment-rights-bill-whats-new%3fbulletin%3dpm-daily&utm_campaign=&utm_term=5458326
(Article source– People management)