Search

How can we help?

Icon

Eighteen months to get the house in order – Helen Beech writes for Business Voice magazine

Assuming Labour wins the next election, employers will have eighteen months to prepare for some fundamental changes to employment rights. The party’s green paper, published in 2021 set about changing significant issues of low pay, insecurity, and disempowerment all within the first 100 days in power, by introducing a single status of “worker” and a day one right for all workers to claim unfair dismissal, removing the cap on compensation and abolishing zero hours contracts and the right to fire and rehire.

The likelihood of being elected has become tantalisingly closer and the question is now whether Labour will water down those pledges under pressure from big business who see the proposals as a serious threat to UK competitiveness.

Read the full article on page 23: Business Voice Autumn 2023

If you have any employment issues, please contact our employment team for advice.

Business Voice is the official publication of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group which represents over 3,000 businesses from micro to multi-national organisations throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Swindon.

Helen Beech

Senior Consultant

View profile

+44 118 960 4639

Employers have to assume there will be some change, and it is likely to be significant. That means starting to look at people and processes now.

About this article

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.

Helen Beech

Senior Consultant

View profile

+44 118 960 4639

About this article

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 21 July 2025
  • Employment

When the ‘Kiss Cam’ Captures More Than Just a Moment: Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and the Legal Risks

Imagine this: A packed Coldplay concert. Tens of thousands of fans. Suddenly, the “kiss cam” camera pans to the crowd and lands on a man and woman sharing an affectionate embrace.

art
  • 15 July 2025
  • Employment

Employment law reform: UK Government launches review of parental leave and pay

On 1 July 2025, the Government announced that it would be conducting a full review of parental leave and pay, which includes maternity and paternity leave; parental leave; shared parental leave; adoption leave and others.

art
  • 11 July 2025
  • Employment

Silenced No More: The Future of NDAs in UK Employment Law

On 8 July 2025, the government announced plans to put forward measures to ban the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (“NDAs”) to silence employees subjected to harassment or discrimination.

art
  • 04 July 2025
  • Employment

Update: The ‘Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap’

The Employment Rights Bill is a draft law which is poised to expand the rights of employees, signifying a major overhaul in employment law. The ERB has already been passed by the House of Commons and is currently at the ‘Report Stage’ in the House of Lords.

art
  • 02 July 2025
  • Employment

Day One Rights: What the New UK Employment Bill Means for You and Your Workplace

Let’s unpack what’s changing in the UK Employments Rights Bill, and why it matters, and what both employees and employers should expect.

art
  • 26 June 2025
  • Employment

A shift in EHRC guidance on single sex spaces in the workplace

In a recent significant shift, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (“the EHRC”) has quietly amended its guidance on single sex spaces in the workplace.