UK’s Comprehensive Employment Bill Tilts Further Toward Worker Rights

Shortly after coming into power, the UK’s Labour government introduced the Employment Rights Bill, making 28 different employment law reforms that would create new employee rights and reform parts of trade union conduct and industrial action.

On Tuesday, the government published a first round of amendments as the bill is considered by parliament, following consultation with business groups, trade unions, and other stakeholders.

Why it matters: Despite assurances that employers’ concerns would be taken into account, the package of more than 200 new amendments are expected to enhance workers’ right. 

• Amendments incorporate the controversial “day one” employee rights, including eliminating the current requirement to work for two years before becoming eligible to claim unfair dismissal and replacing it with protections on the first day of employment.

• The amendments would also abolish the earning limit to ensure all employees, regardless of pay, can access statutory sick pay.

• Agency workers, equivalent to temporary workers hired by a third-party company in the U.S., who are currently on zero-hour contracts, would receive a guarantee of minimum hours and compensation if their shifts are cancelled or altered at short notice.

• The amendments would also retain a shortened notice period requirement for unions seeking to stage a strike, moving from 14 days notice to 10.

•  The strike period allowed before a new ballot is required would be expanded from six months to one year.

What’s next: Parliament will debate the bill over the next few weeks during which further amendments may be made with an expected implementation date in 2026.