Employment Rights Bill Unveiled

On 10 October 2024 Starmer’s Labour Government unveiled The Employment Rights Bill which seeks to enact 28 individual employment reforms including a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, ending fire and rehire practices, and introducing basic employment rights from day one.

The new Bill and measures aim to:

• Give protection against unfair dismissal from day one, while allowing employers to operate probation periods

• Establish parental and bereavement leave from day one

• End exploitative zero hour contracts

• End unscrupulous practices of fire and rehire and fire and replace

• Make flexible working the norm where practical

• Deliver stronger dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers

• Establish a new Fair Work Agency with new powers to enforce holiday pay

• Strengthen statutory sick pay

Implementation of the new legislation is likely to be staggered, with the first provisions expected to take effect in Autumn 2026.

The Department of Business and Trade’s Consultation on strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire is open for 6 weeks until 2 December 2024 and is available here.

For more information see the Government’s Press Release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-unveils-most-significant-reforms-to-employment-rights

If any of these issues have affected you or your business and you wish to seek advice, please contact CSJ Legal here.