Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill

The newly re-formed Business and Trade Committee is launching its first call for evidence on the Government’s new flagship Employment Rights Bill . The new Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of employment law in what it is calling the ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.’ The ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ sets … Show more

The newly re-formed Business and Trade Committee is launching its first call for evidence on the Government’s new flagship Employment Rights Bill . The new Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of employment law in what it is calling the ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.’ The ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ sets out the Government’s agenda to boost wages, reduce insecure work and grow Britain’s economy. The wide-ranging Bill currently passing through Parliament (you can track its progress here ) sets out to: Ban exploitative zero-hours contracts End ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’ Make parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal a day one right Strengthen statutory sick pay Make flexible working the default from day one Strengthen protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work Strengthen protections from sexual harassment at work Strengthen legislation around the allocation of tips Strengthen protections around collective redundancy Introduce a new right to bereavement leave Establish a new Single Enforcement Body, called the Fair Work Agency Establish Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector Reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body Upgrade Trade Union legislation The Committee is launching this inquiry, which will take written and oral evidence with a view to informing the later stages of the Bill’s passage through Parliament, to help assess whether it will achieve these aims. Areas to consider include: How the Bill will contribute to the Government’s stated goal of achieving the fastest growth in the G7. Whether the Employment Rights Bill will adequately protect workers, improve security at work and raise living standards in every part of the country. The impact the Bill will have on businesses, in particular investment rates, start-up rates, the supply of labour and the employment rate. How to ensure adequate protection against exporting poor labour standards, including concerns over forced labour in international supply chains. Show less