📜 Employment Rights Bill: A Roadmap for UK Employers | Consensus HR in Herts & Beds
📜 Employment Rights Bill: A Roadmap for UK Employers
The UK’s proposed Employment Rights Bill brings one of the most significant reforms in employment law in recent years. It aims to deliver a “New Deal for Working People”, enhancing employee protections while creating a fairer labour market.
At Consensus HR, we provide expert HR & Employment Law support to help businesses in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire prepare for change.
🧾 Key Employment Law Reforms
According to the official roadmap, the Employment Rights Bill will introduce:
1️⃣ Day-One Employment Rights
Protection against unfair dismissal from day one
Immediate eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and paternity leave
2️⃣ Fair Work Enforcement Agency
A new body to oversee compliance with employment law by combining existing agencies.
3️⃣ Ending Exploitative Practices
Regulation of zero-hour contracts
Ban on controversial “fire and rehire” tactics
4️⃣ Stronger Trade Union Rights
Easier recognition of trade unions
Better access to employees in the workplace
5️⃣ Flexible Working by Default
Employees will have the right to request flexible working from day one (subject to business grounds for refusal).
📅 Proposed Implementation Timeline
The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced in phases:
April 2025: Day-one rights, parental leave updates, and establishment of the Fair Work Agency
Late 2025–2027: Ban on fire-and-rehire, zero-hour contract reforms, flexible working rights, and trade union enhancements
Note: Some changes may be delayed due to consultation feedback and business community concerns.
💬 Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Consensus HR
“The Employment Rights Bill introduces a wide range of changes that will impact all businesses, especially SMEs. While the goal is a fairer workplace, these reforms bring added responsibility for employers. At Consensus HR, our role is to help businesses apply these changes correctly—reducing risk and supporting a productive, legally compliant workplace.”
“We strongly encourage employers to review their current HR practices and employment contracts now to avoid future issues.”
✅ What Employers Should Do Now
Here’s how to prepare for the changes:
🔍 Review employee handbooks and contracts for compliance
📋 Ensure dismissal procedures are fair and robust from day one
🕒 Reassess use of zero-hour and casual contracts
💼 Update your flexible working policies
📣 Prepare for union engagement
🤝 Seek expert HR advice before making policy changes
👥 How Consensus HR Can Help
We offer tailored HR support including:
📄 Employment contract and policy reviews
🔧 Documentation updates for new legal obligations
👥 Redundancy & dismissal process support
🧑🏫 Flexible working strategies
📞 Ongoing retained HR support and training
🔗 Useful Links
📞 Get in Touch
Is your business prepared for these changes?
Contact Consensus HR today for professional, jargon-free advice tailored to your business.
👉 www.consensushr.com | 📧 [email protected] | 📞 01438 576750
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