Pre-Election Labour Employment Law Pledges

In the run up to the General Election, the Labour party pledged to introduce several key policies including:

• Banning ‘exploitative’ zero-hour contracts and ensuring contracts reflect regular hours worked;
• Day one right to unfair dismissal and parental/sick pay;
• Introducing the ‘right to switch off’, which would aim to better support workers who work from home;
• Reforming the Employment Tribunal and claims system, which would see more processes digitalised, and potentially extending limitations on claims;
• Preventing Companies from utilising ‘Fire and Rehire’;
• Simplifying employment status by moving towards a single 'worker' status. This would begin by removing the distinction between 'worker' and 'employee';
• Pledging to repeal the Trade Union Act 2016, the Minimum Service Levels (Strikes) Bill and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022. They have proposed allowing electronic balloting, providing trade unions and members a new right to access workplaces, and create rights and protections for union representatives undertaking duties. Furthermore, they have proposed that Employers must make Employees aware of their right to join a union;
• Proposing to modernise health and safety guidance at work. Their manifesto specifically highlights extreme temperatures, mental health, long Covid and menopause, as examples.
• Requiring large firms to report gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps, and to propose plans that would assist closing these gaps;
• Altering the national minimum wage criteria including removing age bands;
• Making flexible working a default right;
• Introducing unpaid bereavement leave (only currently available in respect of the death of a child);
• Propose making the right to remote working begin from day one, in addition to reviewing parental and carer’s leave.

Are you interested to see what might actually happen now Labour has come to power? In the King’s Speech on Wednesday, 17 July 2024, the King formally announced Labour’s legislative programme for the new Parliamentary session at the State Opening of Parliament. See our insight here for further detail.

Much of what they pledged appears to have stuck post-election which will mean a lot of change for employers to get to grips with. If you would like any guidance or advice in relation to any of the proposed changes, our Employment Law experts are here to help on 020 8290 0440 or email employment@thackraywilliams.com .