Many have been dreaming and hoping for new plans of a four-day working week for years, and it could finally become a reality. From what has been reported, the government could introduce new laws that grant workers more rights when it comes to their working hours and more.
It is understood that this package will include the right to “compressed hours“, which means people will be able to work their contracted hours within four days instead of five. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is understood to be behind the new legislation, having received both praise and criticism for it.
Currently, workers are allowed to request flexible hours, yet businesses have the ability to refuse it. The new plans, which are expected to be published in mid-October, will empower employees not just with the right to ask for flexible working, but employers will have to grant the request, including working from home and a four-day working week, except for situations where it is “not reasonably feasible“.
However, Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative shadow business secretary, said: “Despite warning after warning from industry, Angela Rayner is pressing ahead with her French-style union laws that will make doing business more expensive in the UK.
Labour must listen to businesses who are petrified about day-one employment rights and bringing in the four-day week through the back door. It will be businesses and consumers who pay and growth that suffers if they don’t listen.”
A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: “Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business.
Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around increasing productivity and creating the right conditions for businesses to support sustained economic growth.
Many employers already provide good, family-friendly conditions for their workers because they know that doing so improves morale and retention. We are working in close partnership with business and civil society to find the balance between improving workers’ rights while supporting the brilliant businesses that pay people’s wages.”
What are the new employment proposals?
All employees, regardless of contract type, are to receive equal rights like sick pay, holiday pay, parental leave and unfair dismissal protection.
- Said rights are to begin from day one, aiming to remove qualifying periods (currently standing at two years) to be eligible.
- The restriction of zero-hour contracts and hire and rehire practices.
- Granting employees “the right to switch off”, where they don’t have to check work emails or calls outside of their working hours.
- Flexible working hours.
While it is not yet certain how the new legislation will work in reality, its initial draft should be submitted mid-October. When it comes to the four-day working week plans, it is also unclear if an employer can reject it, as it will depend on the exact legal wording of the new laws.