So there we have it, the UK electorate have overwhelmingly decided on a new Labour government.

As a party who have traditionally fought for workers, it is no surprise that our new government are keen to introduce a whole raft of changes to employment law to strengthen employee rights (and apparently within 100 days of being elected!).

Labour's proposed changes include:

➡️Banning exploitative zero hours contracts.

➡️Ending firing and rehiring on less favourable terms.

➡️Day one right to claim unfair dismissal.

➡️Day one right to sick pay and parental leave.

➡️Introducing the right to bereavement leave for all workers.

➡️National Minimum Wage – ensure a real living wage, remove age bands and stronger enforcement for non – compliance.

➡️Strengthen collective bargaining and repealing anti-trade union laws.

➡️Introducing a single status of ‘worker’ (all employees and workers will have equal employment rights).

➡️Introducing the right to switch off (protection from being penalised for refusing to work outside of normal contractual hours).

➡️Time limit for tribunal claims to increase from 3 to 6 months.

➡️Extending equal pay legislation and pay gap reporting to include disability and ethnicity reporting for large employers.

➡️Menopause action plan for large employers.

➡️Introduction of the Race Equality Act – pay gap reporting and dual discrimination.

➡️Protection from dismissal for returning mothers.

➡️Amending single establishment threshold for collective redundancy consultation obligations.

➡️Day one right to have flexible working for all workers (strengthens the current right to request).

What can employers do to get prepared?

☑️Stay up to date with employment law.

☑️Engage with any relevant employer consultations to ensure your views are considered.

☑️Be ready to update your policies and procedures to reflect confirmed changes as they are announced.

☑️Manage probation periods, performance and conduct issues fairly and efficiently.

☑️Review the culture and employee engagement in your business to ensure the needs of your employees are being met.

We await further detail but can expect some of these proposed changes to come in thick and fast as the new government seek to make an immediate impact. 

If your business requires support or advice in implementing these changes, get in touch - we are here to help.