BEERG Newsletter - UK: Fire and Rehire

Last week we reported on the UK government’s consultation on a “fire and rehire” consultation. Here David Hopper and William Brown of Lewis Silkin LLP explain what is involved. Fire and rehire” is a shorthand for the practice of changing employment terms and conditions by way of dismissal and re-engagement, typically in situations where it is impossible to obtain employee or trade union consent to the changes. It has attracted heightened controversy in recent years, as a number of prominent employers used the practice during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Following the scandal over the firing of 800 workers by P&O Ferries in March 2022 (which strictly did not involve a ”fire and rehire” exercise), the government announced plans to introduce a new statutory Code of Practice to encourage employers to act fairly and reasonably in negotiations over changes to terms and conditions. 

Read their full comment HERE