This is seen as the biggest shake up in employment legislation in a generation and at first reading it certainly appears to be, including;
- Removing the 2 year qualifying period for unfair dismissal and making it a ‘day 1’ right;
- Requiring employers to offer zero hours staff a permanent contract after 12 weeks;
- The return of the requirement for employers to prevent third parties from harassing staff;
- Removing the qualifying period for parental leave and bereavement leave;
- Requiring employers to explain why it is reasonable to refuse an application for flexible working;
- Employers to pay SSP from the first day of absence.
Whilst many of these changes will require changes to statute, the large Labour majority in the House of Commons guarantees that this Bill will pass quite quickly.
If you have any questions, please contact our Employment Team on 0345 646 0406 or complete an online enquiry form, and a member of the team will be in touch.