Labour’s Proposed Employment Rights Bill: A Step Forward for Workers’ Rights

The Labour Party's recent election victory has led to the announcement of significant employment law reforms, including the Employment Rights Bill and the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, set to be introduced in October 2024, aiming to improve workers' rights in the UK.

Trade Unions and Industrial Action

The Labour Party's ‘Make Work Pay’ plan, as detailed in the document and further elaborated in the King's Speech of July 2024, introduces several reforms aimed at empowering trade unions and enhancing the rights of union members.

Day One Right Not to Be Unfairly Dismissed

The new Employment Rights Bill offers immediate protection against unfair dismissal from day one, enhancing job security and empowering unions to advocate for employees.

Restrictions on Fire and Rehire

New legislation proposed by the Labour Party in the Employment Rights Bill aims to significantly restrict the practice of fire and rehire, a pernicious tactic used by employers to reduce wages or place employees on less favourable terms by dismissing employees only to rehire them on less favourable terms.

Thresholds for Redundancy Consultation

The Labour Party’s new Employment Rights Bill should include a significant change in redundancy consultation thresholds, aiming to strengthen employee protections and rights.

Zero Hours Contracts and Predictability

The Labour Party's ‘Make Work Pay’ plan proposes banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and ensuring contracts reflect regular work hours, providing employees with greater job security and stability. The plan also includes measures for reasonable notice of work schedules and compensation for cancelled shifts, aiming to create a fairer and more predictable labour market.

Right to Request Flexible Working by Default

The Labour Party's ‘Make Work Pay’ plan proposes significant changes to flexible working rights, making it a default option from day one of employment.