Greatest change to employment law in more than a generation

There are significant updates from the recent King’s Speech delivered by King Charles III on July 17, 2024. This speech introduced several key proposals that will have a substantial impact on employment law and workplace practices. We believe it is crucial for you to stay informed about these changes and understand how they may affect your business. We will concentrate on part one, as this is what is expected to come into force by the end of September.

1. Employment Rights Bill:

• Protection from Unfair Dismissal: Available from day one, with special rules for probationary periods.
• Sick Pay: Available from day one, removing the lower earnings limit and waiting period for Statutory Sick Pay.
• Flexible Working: Default for all workers from day one, requiring employers to accommodate this as far as is reasonable.
• Parental Leave: Available from day one.
• Protection for New Mothers: Unlawful to dismiss a woman for six months after she returns from maternity leave.
• Zero-Hour Contracts: Banned, giving workers the right to a contract reflecting the hours they regularly work.
• Fire and Rehire Practices: Ended, with a new statutory code replacing the current law.
• Fair Work Agency: Established to enforce workplace rights.
• Fair Pay Agreement: Introduced in the adult social care sector.
• Minimum Service Levels: Repealed in relation to industrial action.
• Union Access: Right for workers/union members to access a union within workplaces and simplified statutory recognition for trade unions.

Equality (Race and Disability) Bill:

• Pay Equity Audits: Mandatory for employers to identify and rectify pay disparities between different racial groups.
• Inclusive Policies: Employers must develop and implement policies promoting diversity and equality in the workplace.

Apprenticeship Levy Reforms:

• Maximising Benefits: Adjusting apprenticeship programmes to align with new regulations.
• Workforce Development: Developing comprehensive training programmes to support long-term employee growth.

These proposals represent a significant shift in employment law and workplace practices, aiming to create fairer work conditions and enhance employment rights across the UK.

Join Our Webinar for a Full Update:

To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these proposals and their implications, we are hosting a webinar where our experts will delve into the details and answer any questions you may have.

10.30 am until 11.30 am Presentation by Meg Fenney from HR Download

11.30 am up to until 12.30pm Q & A's

Please book a ticket (s) via Ticket Tailor and the link to join the Teams meeting will be sent through to you.

This project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This enables these events to be free of charge for businesses within the Cheshire East Area and are limited to a maximum of 2 attendees per business.