Proposed Employment Rights Bill

Changes to employment law being proposed through the Employment Rights Bill are still being discussed and finalised, so there are no effective dates as yet for changes to employee rights on zero hours contracts and eligibility for SSP etc.

Key updates:

After first being unveiled back in October 2024, the Bill outlined a long list of employment law changes as part of the government’s major overhaul. Here’s a quick round-up of the key proposed amendments we know so far:

Lowest paid workers will get statutory sick pay for the first time ever:

Under the new government proposal, a person would be entitled to receive 80% of their wage if they earn less than the rate of SSP (currently £116.75 per week) for the time they’re off sick. In practice, this would mean someone who earns £100 a week could get £80 a week in sick pay. This proposal also gives everyone the right to sick pay from day one of being absent, cutting out the three-day waiting period.

Compensation you have to pay for not following the right steps in a redundancy or fire and rehire situation will double:

Previously, up to 90 days’ pay was the penalty for not following the right steps in these two scenarios. Under new proposals, this penalty will double to up to 180 days’ pay.

Extra responsibilities when it comes to recording staff holidays:

The government is also proposing that you should have extra responsibility when it comes to showing you’re following the rules for annual leave entitlement. These rules form part of the Working Time regulations.

New rules around zero-hour contracts would also apply to agency workers:

Previously, the government proposed that zero-hour workers should have a right to a certain amount of notice if their shift needs to be cancelled. They should also have a right to a guaranteed hours contract that reflects the hours they regularly work. It’s now being proposed that this right should also apply to agency workers.

The Government will have the right to bring tribunal claims on behalf of workers:

There is a new proposal for the Secretary of State to be able to bring tribunal proceedings on behalf of workers. This would allow the government to start a claim for a worker who has a claim but isn’t going to raise it themselves. The government would also be able to provide legal assistance or representation for a worker bringing a claim.

Got a question for an adviser?

While these proposals may not be set in stone, it’s important to stay on top of employment law updates at whatever stage they may be. Turnstone HR will be making sure you have the most up to date information at your fingertips. You can contact any of our Advisors who will be happy to give you further assistance:

Our team are here to help you with any questions or concerns you might have.

Sarah Goddard – MCIPD
Director
sarah.goddard@turnstonehr.com

David Nicholson – MCIPD
Consultant
d.nicholson@turnstonehr.com

Nicki James – Assoc. CIPD
Consultant
nicki.james@turnstonehr.com

Lizy Scullion
Administrative Support
lizy.scullion@turnstonehr.com

Tel. (07715) 822216