Last December, a new law received Royal Assent, which is set to make sweeping changes to the workforce in the UK. The Employment Rights Act, which is designed to “bring the world of work into the 21st century”, will provide new protections and rights for all sorts of employees across the country. The effects of the new law will slowly be felt in the coming years, with a planned 2-year rollout for all of the benefits. But some workers are already seeing their worklife improve, with impressive new reforms arriving as soon as next month.
This new law isn’t some cushy new protection for the richest of the rich, and the most privileged of the privileged, though. Instead, the law will have wide-ranging impacts, including for “those on the lowest pay and in the most insecure jobs.” Some 15 million workers will see their lives positively affected by the new law.
Among the first changes to be felt is increased paternity and parental leave. Starting in April, parents in the UK will have stronger, day-one rights to time off work. In particular, fathers will have the right to paternity leave from their very first day at a new job. This brings their entitlement into line with maternity leave. Previously, they had to complete 26 weeks with an employer before being eligible.
Who benefits from the Employment Rights Act?
The Employment Rights Act demands sweeping changes to workplaces that will beneficially impact incredible numbers of employees around the UK.
The Minister for Employment Rights, Kate Dearden said:
“Today is a landmark day in Britain, with over 15 million working people set to benefit from the Employment Rights Act.
“These aren’t just statistics – these are real people and real families. The Act will help save workers in some of the most deprived areas up to £600 in lost income from the hidden costs of insecure work, and support working families to juggle the demands of work and raising children. ”
Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle said:
“The landmark Employment Rights Act will transform workplace law for the 21st century – bringing stronger protections and the fairness every worker deserves.
“We believe this change is a vital part of creating and maintaining good jobs and fair pay. This government is championing responsible businesses, driving fair competition, and creating a future where hardworking people enjoy real security and opportunity.
What benefits and new rights will workers get?
While it would be too lengthy to put a complete list of things that will change here, these are the changes that will be felt the most by employees:
- No more zero-hours contracts . Employees will have a right to “guaranteed hours, reasonable notice of shifts, and payments for short-notice cancellation of shifts”
- No more ‘fire and rehire’ and ‘fire and replace’ practices
- Better redundancy rights
- Better access to sick pay, including “removing the Lower Earnings Limit and removing the waiting period”
- A revision of tipping law, requiring employees to be consulted when businesses wish to change their tipping practices
- Expectation of employers to protect employees, using ‘all reasonable steps’, from sexual harassment and third-party harassment
- Support and protection for ‘whistleblowers’ who report sexual harassment
- Increased bereavement leave and support
- Easier access to flexible working for employees from day one
- Requiring employers to improve gender equality
- Access to unions and protection of employees in unions
- The creation of the Fair Work Agency , which is responsible for enforcing the changes in the Employment Rights Act.
A timetable for when changes are expected to go into place can be found here.