Major Review Calls for Employment Rights Overhaul to Boost Workforce Participation
LONDON - A new review of employment practices is urging notable changes to get more people working, including a right to guaranteed hours and stricter regulations on zero-hour contracts. The report also highlights issues with the current “fit note” system and proposes a new Workplace Health Provision (WHP) to better support employees returning to work.
The proposed Employment Rights Bill aims to address precarity in the labor market by ensuring workers have guaranteed hours based on an average of those worked over a 12-week period, effectively curtailing zero-hour contracts that offer no guaranteed work. Tho, the bill is already facing criticism from business groups.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, stated the bill is “at odds with one another,” arguing it “would make it harder for retailers to continue offering as many crucial flexible roles.”
UKHospitality’s representative, Ms Nicholls, who collaborated with Sir Charlie on the review, echoed these concerns, warning of a “clash” if the bill isn’t “carefully managed.” She emphasized the need for flexibility, particularly for individuals re-entering the workforce or managing health conditions. “Some weeks thay can do eight hours, some weeks 40 hours, some weeks none,” she said.
Concerns also extend to the implementation of “day one rights” for new employees. Mr. Hanrahan, from chemicals manufacturer Robinson Brothers, “wholly objected,” stating the current recruitment process is already challenging. “Its so arduous to try and recruit people in the first place… Normally you have a probation period… and now we’re saying day one rights. There’s a big disconnect between what you’re asking of us and reality.” He fears the increased risk will deter companies from hiring. “It will stop us employing more people because the risk of taking someone on and giving them day one rights that’s high risk, very high risk.”
The review also identified issues with the current system of fit notes, finding that 93% of notes issued in england deem patients “not fit for work” and are frequently extended without further medical consultation. GPs report difficulty assessing work suitability while patients are ill, yet are frequently enough requested to provide the notes.
To address this, the report recommends a reform of the fit note system and the widespread adoption of a Workplace Health Provision (WHP) – a non-clinical case management service funded by employers to support both employees and line managers.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne,chair of the Royal College of gps,suggested transferring duty for longer-term fit notes to more specialized professionals,while retaining a role for GPs in short-term notes (up to 3 weeks) and ongoing patient care. She stressed that any reform “must be in the best interests of patients” and “this process should never be punitive in nature.”
