A change in Government can have a significant impact on small businesses, both financially and legally. From changes in taxation and benefits to new employee rights introduced under fresh employment laws, a change in Government gives HR professionals lots to learn – and fast. At the time of writing, polls suggest that a change in Government at the 4 July General Election is indeed expected. So, what are the main political parties proposing and what do we as HR professionals need to know?
To help you understand at-a-glance who’s planning to do what, we’ve broken down the major changes to employment law proposed by the key political parties in the table below, with links to each party’s website if you’d like to find out more:
Political party | Key proposals |
Flexible working: Expansion of flexible working rights. Minimum Wage: Incremental increases in the National Living Wage. Apprenticeships: Continued investment in apprenticeships and vocational training. Workers' Rights: Strengthening protections for gig economy workers (temporary and part-time positions filled by independent contractors and freelancers).
| |
Workers' Rights: Implementation of a new ‘Employment Rights Green Paper’ outlining extensive rights for workers. Living Wage: ‘Genuine living wage’ introduced for all workers. Zero-Hour Contracts: Ban on zero-hour contracts. Trade Unions: Enhanced powers and protections for trade unions. Flexibility: ‘Right to switch off’ for people working flexibly or from home.
| |
Flexible Working: Enshrining the right to flexible working from day one. Minimum Wage: Raising the minimum wage to a living wage. Parental Leave: Extending parental leave and increasing paternity leave. Gig Economy: Clearer rights and protections for gig economy workers. Training: Increased funding for lifelong learning and retraining programs.
| |
Living Wage: Introduction of a universal living wage. Working Hours: Reduction of the standard working week to 30 hours. Job Security: Enhanced job security measures and protection against unfair dismissal. Trade Union Rights: Strengthening of trade union rights and collective bargaining. Environmental Responsibility: Mandating employers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices in workplaces.
| |
Business Flexibility: Reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. Apprenticeships: Focus on expanding apprenticeship programs. Taxation: Reduction in employment taxes to encourage hiring. Employment Contracts: Simplifying employment contracts and reducing bureaucracy. Workplace Innovation: Encouraging innovation in workplace practices to boost productivity.
|
If you’d like any advice on these proposed changes or need help amending your policies and procedures, Ambition HR is here to help. As your strategic HR partner, we work with you to align both business and HR objectives, developing bespoke people plans and helping you put these plans into action. If you feel like you’d benefit from an informal chat about your business needs, you can schedule a call online today.
Commenti