‘Strike right balance’ on flexible working, business groups urge Labour September 17, 2024 Ministers must allow firms to “strike the right balance” on flexible working, business lobby groups have urged. It comes after business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told The Times alternative work schedules “contribute to productivity” and could be “significant” in tackling regional inequality issues, amid debate over the government’s proposed plans for workers’ rights reforms. He said, [...]
The Notebook: A new deal for working people? Labour’s plan risks mass layoffs September 16, 2024 Labour's new deal for workers promises to put employees first, but it risks badly backfiring, writes employment law expert Dan Pollard in today's Notebook.
Tesco loses Supreme Court ‘hire and fire’ appeal after three-year battle September 12, 2024 Tesco has lost its ‘hire and fire’ appeal after the Supreme Court ruled it cannot terminate its employees’ contracts for the purpose of depriving them of retained payment. The judge said that employees’ contracts contained a clause barring the supermarket giant from removing their right to retained pay. The ‘landmark’ legal battle was initially brought [...]
Firms fear looming minimum wage rise and workers’ rights package September 9, 2024 The survey makes apparent the extent of business concern over the new deal for workers, which is one of the most controversial aspects of Labour's legislative agenda.
Majority of business managers back improved workers’ rights, survey shows September 7, 2024 Most employers support government plans to strengthen workers’ rights, new research has suggested. A survey of 1,000 managers indicated more than two in three believed the rights of workers should be improved. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Persuasion UK said their study suggested that among [...]
Workers’ rights fines will harm growth and jobs, small businesses warn September 3, 2024 The government risks “reversing economic growth” and disincentivising hiring if it pursues plans to issue “punitive” fines to businesses that breach its workers’ rights plan, industry leaders have warned. Businesses face paying thousands of pounds in fines if they fall foul of the new protections that Labour are hoping to introduce, it was revealed on [...]
Supermarket and McDonald’s bosses to meet ministers over workers’ rights reforms September 2, 2024 Bosses from UK supermarkets and McDonald’s are set to meet government ministers to be updated on plans for new laws around workers rights. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join John Lewis CEO Nish Kankiwala; Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts; Claire Costello, chief people and inclusion officer at the Co-Op; and [...]
‘Right to disconnect’ plans must offer firms flexibility, experts warn August 20, 2024 The government’s plan to give workers the ‘right to disconnect’ must offer companies some flexibility when it comes to implementing the changes, experts have warned. Staff who are frequently contacted by their bosses outside of their work day could be granted thousands more in compensation cash from employment tribunals under new worker reforms, The Times [...]
Workers rights: Ministers meet unions but warned on ‘unintended consequences’ of reform August 15, 2024 Unions and employers have met with the government to discuss new plans for workers rights but it comes as ministers are warned against “unintended consequences” of reforms. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met unions and businesses on Wednesday to kick-start Labour’s work on employment rights. Rayner hailed the meeting as [...]
Britain’s paltry paternity leave is yet another thing pricing out parenthood August 10, 2024 Two weeks of paternity leave places Britain firmly near the bottom of fatherly league tables. It’s time to extend it, writes Cameron Smith After months of nervous anticipation for your first child’s arrival, the best-laid plans often go awry. As a new dad, you’ll listen closely to the birth plan your partner carefully arranges with [...]