Employment Rights Bill 2024

The UK Government has announced a draft Employment Rights Bill, outlining significant reforms that will reshape employment law as we know it.

While these changes are not yet in effect, it’s crucial businesses stay ahead of developments to ensure they are prepared for the future.

Here are some of the key proposals and what they mean for you:

1. Day One Rights for Unfair Dismissal and Leave
Under the draft Bill, employees would be protected from unfair dismissal from the first day of employment, alongside new entitlements to bereavement and parental leave. This requires businesses to extend these protections straight away to new hires, impacting onboarding and HR processes.

2. Reforms on Zero Hours Contracts
The proposed changes would allow employees on zero-hours contracts who work regular hours to request guaranteed hours. Businesses relying on zero-hours contracts may need to offer more security to staff, changing how they manage flexible workforces.

3. Ban on Fire and Rehire Practices
The draft Bill aims to outlaw practices that allow employers to fire staff only to rehire them on worse terms. If enacted, businesses will need to ensure that restructuring and redundancy processes comply with the new restrictions, avoiding penalties for non-compliance.

4. Changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
The Bill proposes removing earning thresholds and waiting periods for SSP, ensuring immediate access to it for all workers. This would increase costs for businesses, particularly those with a high proportion of lower paid staff.

5. Flexible Working as the Default
Flexible working would become the default option under the drafted legislation, unless employers can prove it’s not practical for specific roles. This could lead to drastic changes in how businesses manage their workforce, particularly for roles traditionally based on-site.

6. New Fair Work Agency for Compliance Enforcement
A proposed new agency would help enforce employment rights like holiday pay and SSP. This will introduce greater guidance for businesses - but also stricter oversight, making compliance more critical than ever before.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?
While the updates are not yet law, it’s vital to stay informed and prepared. Quest HR is hosting a FREE webinar event on Monday 14 October from 3pm to 4pm to explain the proposed reforms and help you understand what steps you need to take to stay ahead.

REGISTER HERE