Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for a Change in Government

Today is a big day for the UK as voters head to the polls for the General Election! This could impact many of us directly, so it's worth having a read to see what might change in the workplace following today’s election.

If the Labour Party wins, we can expect changes to employment laws, designed to enhance worker protections and improve job security. Labour has vowed to introduce a comprehensive bill within the first 100 days of office, promising to reshape the landscape of employment law immediately.

Your workplace rights could be impacted, so being informed now can help you navigate any changes smoothly!

What are the Proposed Changes?

Minimum Wage

In response to the rising cost of living, Labour plans to increase the minimum wage to ensure that full-time workers can afford essential living expenses.

Immediate Protection from Unfair Dismissal

Currently, you must work for two years before being protected from unfair dismissal. Labour intends to eliminate this requirement, granting immediate protection from your first day of employment.

Abolishment of Exploitative Zero-Hours Contracts

Labour proposes to scrap zero-hours contracts, advocating for more stable and predictable employment terms. Companies will need to offer more permanent and consistent contracts, ensuring job security and regular hours for their employees.

Right to Disconnect

To promote a healthier work-life balance, Labour aims to introduce the right to disconnect, this policy would allow you to disengage from work communications outside of their contracted hours without fear of repercussions. Employers will be restricted to contacting you outside of work hours only in emergencies, such as safety or legal issues.

Ending ‘Fire and Rehire’

‘Fire and rehire’ is the dismissal employees when the terms of a contract no longer suit either or both parties, and then offering to hire them back again on revised terms. Labour plans to improve consultation procedures and ban this from happening.

Family Friendly Rights

Labour plans to enhance family-friendly rights by ensuring flexible working from day one, improving parental leave, strengthening maternity protections, introducing paid carers' leave, clarify bereavement leave entitlements and regulating the use of technology and surveillance in the workplace to promote best practice in safeguarding.

Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination

Labour plans to introduce enhanced gender, ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting that would make it mandatory for all employers to publish detailed information about pay disparities. Additionally, introduce stronger anti-discrimination laws, ensuring all workers are treated fairly.

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