There has been a delay under a new timeline for the government’s employment rights bill by 2027 under day-to-one protection against unfair dismissal.
The remedy was to be implemented in 2026, but after concern with businesses about the bill, inappropriate dismissal will apply a restriction on flexible work as well as flexible work guarantee and “absorbent” contracts on zero-hour contracts in two years.
The government said that the roadmap – it has been determined for the bill first – companies will “need clarity and certainty, they need to plan, invest and grow”.
But some commercial groups said that it would bring “wave of disruptive changes” and can put firms by hiring firms.
These measures will be subject to further consultation, and it is still not clear how – and when in 2027 – they will be implemented.
The Employment Rights Bill is still being investigated by the House of Lords and is not expected to reach the royal consent by autumn.
The government wants many measures under the new law next year starting in April.
These include removing the current boundaries on statutory sick pay. Currently, workers can start claiming it only on the fourth day of the disease and if they earn at least £ 125 a week.
The new whistleblowing protection and day-one paternity leave and unpaid parents’ rights are also expected to be implemented earlier next year.
From October next year, the government says the measures to be implemented will include “dishonest” fire and re -abolition of practices, and change the tipping law to ensure a proper tip allocation.
Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said that since the onset of this process, the government worked with businesses of all sizes “to ensure that this bill works for them”.
He said: “By phasing the implementation, our collaborative approach balances meaningful activists with practical realities of running a successful business.”
TUC general secretary Paul Novak said that the changes were “long -over -over -over” and new rights need to be put in place as soon as possible.
However, while commercial groups welcomed the roadmap set by the government, they said their members were concerned about the impact on firms.
Tina McKenzie, policy president at the Federation of Small Business (FSB), said, “Today’s timetable is set when waves of disruptive changes in the coming months will now kill small employers.”
He said that many small companies do not have a human resource team to help navigate changes.
“The clock is now standing,” said Ms. McCenzie. “And without listening to proposals from business to improve these reforms, changes only add complexity and risks to new work and existing employment.”
The bill, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, means that workers will have the right to claim unfair dismissal against their employer from the first day, unlike the current two -year qualifying period.
However, employees will be subject to nine -month probation period, during which employers can dismiss someone more easily and without the need for the entire process.
Alex Watch, director of the policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, stated that “there was a high risk of unexpected results that could limit employment opportunities and economic growth”.
The government estimates that the implementation of the bill measures may lead to business around £ 5BN, which Mr. Watch said, “comes with an increase in minimum wages with recent increase in national insurance contribution paid by employers.”
He said, “There is a lack of expansion on how the statutory probation period will work and the statutory sick will be planned to be planned and zero hours of contracts, for example, there are some important areas that need to be seen again,” he said.
Shadow Business and Trade Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Labor’s decision to delay the unemployment bill in another U-turn is an entry that has misunderstood him again.”
As part of the changes, the trade union will be a package of measures, which includes simplifying the trade union recognition process and canceling the rules of orthodox-era, which limits the strike action by businesses, including teachers, firefighters and train workers.
A fair work agency will also be formed under the bill to enforce the rights of workers and take action against exploitation.
