Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
The government has decided to reverse its earlier pledge to grant all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their very first day of employment. Instead, ministers now intend to implement this right only after six months of continuous work, a change prompted by concerns expressed by various business groups. This modification is seen as a strategic move aimed at preventing further delays of the employment legislation in the House of Lords, where opposition has already hindered its progress.
Despite this adjustment, other proposed rights that take effect from the first day, including sick pay and paternity leave, will continue as planned and are scheduled to come into force in April 2026. Currently, employees must remain in their position for two years before they can challenge dismissal under legal protections, which require employers to demonstrate a fair reason and proper procedure for terminating contracts.
Labour’s initial proposal sought to remove the qualifying period altogether, allowing workers immediate unfair dismissal protections while introducing a legal probation period following consultations. This policy formed a significant component of Labour’s manifesto at the last general election and was central to the Employment Rights Bill. However, recent votes in the House of Lords have supported establishing a six-month qualifying period, causing legislative delays.
The decision to set the qualifying period at six months came after discussions involving business groups and trade unions. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) reacted positively, emphasizing the importance of enshrining these rights into law to benefit workers starting next April. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak urged the House of Lords to honor Labour’s manifesto commitments and expedite the passage of the legislation. Meanwhile, Conservatives criticized the reversal as “humiliating,” with shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to remove what he described as “job-destroying anti-growth measures” from the bill
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.