Employment Law Reform Promised in the King’s Speech

As anticipated, the Government unveiled the Employment Rights Bill in the King’s Speech today. This Bill will bring employment law reform to the UK.

Employment Law Reform Promised in the King’s Speech:

The Employment Rights Bill will ‘ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights’. It will make parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal ‘available from day one on the job for all workers’. Further, it will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts. The Bill will also make it unlawful to sack a woman who has had a baby for six months after her return to work, except in specific circumstances. It also introduces flexible working as the default when people start new employment.

Equality (Race and Disability) Bill:

The Government will also publish draft legislation on race equality under the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. Its intention is ‘to enshrine the full right to equal pay in law’. This legislation will introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for organisations with more than 250 employees.

What we say:

Our founder, Joanna Gooden, says, “The new UK Government has set out an ambitious legislative plan with the reform of current employment law practices at its centre. The Employment Rights Bill promises a sea change for employers, introducing several pro-employee rights. The Bill will likely transform the way employers recruit, treat, and dismiss their staff, it is a welcome overhaul for employees.”

Need some advice? We can help:

Robust recruitment and HR policies will be paramount to ensure compliance and avoid potential litigation. As the Bill progresses, employers will need to react quickly to the measures as they come into force.

But you’re not on your own. As employment law specialists we are here to help you navigate the changes this Bill will require. Please contact our specialist team of Solicitors and HR Consultants today to discuss what this means for your business.