BRC urges MPs to back amendments to the Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill is returning to the House of Commons as it continues to ping pong between the houses, with peers standing firm on amendments to the legislation last week.

The House of Lords reaffirmed its stance that, under the new legislation, employees should only qualify for unfair dismissal protection after working somewhere for six months, as opposed to the government’s proposal for those rights to be extended from day one.

The Lords also rejected the government’s proposals on zero-hours contracts, industrial action ballot thresholds and union members paying a political levy.

The BRC’s chief executive Helen Dickinson has urged Members to back the Lords’ amendments and ensure the smooth passage of the Bill into law.

“While we fully support the goal of the Employment Rights Bill to crack down on unscrupulous employers who do not treat their employees fairly, it must not penalise responsible businesses.

“The Resolution Foundation has said that some of its proposals, particularly around Day One Rights, will ‘inhibit hiring.’ We share this view and are also concerned about Guaranteed Hours, which would make it harder for retailers to offer local, flexible, and part-time jobs. The Bill’s return to the Commons is the moment for MPs to avoid such unintended consequences by supporting the practical amendments tabled by peers last week. Half of retail’s three million colleagues currently work part-time, and this flexibility allows them to work as much or as little as they need, balancing their career around other life commitments. We ignore this at our peril.

“Government must also ensure that any delay to the Bill’s Royal Assent does not result in less consultation or a compressed implementation Roadmap. It is critical Ministers commit to quality engagement with high-employment industries so we can work constructively with Government and other important stakeholders to ensure the Bill is fit for purpose, protecting employment opportunities as well as employees.”