After just one year in government, we have a roadmap for the changes in the Employment Rights Bill.
This is a transformative piece of legislation and a central piece of our Plan to Make Work Pay. It makes work fairer, safer, and more secure and I was proud to help shape it as a member of the bill committee last year.
I pushed especially hard for the right to bereavement leave for parents who have suffered a loss of pregnancy, not just after 24 weeks. I am delighted this bill will make it a reality.
Employment Rights Bill roadmap
Next April, we will:
Introduce a day one right to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave.
Expand whistleblowing protections, so workers can report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
Establish a new fair work agency to enforce labour rights and promote workplace fairness.
Simplify the trade union recognition process and electronic/workplace balloting.
Remove the lower earnings limit and waiting period for statutory sick pay.
Next October, we will:
End unscrupulous fire and rehire practices to protect workers from being pressured into worse employment terms.
Mandate consultation with workers about tip allocation.
Require employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
Introduce new rights and protections for trade union representatives and strengthening trade unions’ right of access.
In 2027, we will:
Launch gender pay gap and menopause action plans to support women’s health and gender equality in the workplace.
Enhance dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers.
Create a modern framework for industrial relations to build a fairer, more collaborative approach to workplace relations.
Expand the right to bereavement leave so people can take the time they need to grieve.
End the exploitative use of zero hours contracts so workers can have stable hours and predictable income.
Introduce a day one right to protection from unfair dismissal.
Improve access to flexible working to help people balance work with family, health, and other responsibilities.