The government has just published proposals to change employment laws in its document named ‘The Good Work Plan’.
The key proposals are as follows:
A requirement that employers give employees a written statement of terms and conditions on the first day of work. Currently they must do so within two months.
Extending the right to a written statement of terms and conditions to workers as well as employees.
A ban on employers making deductions from staff tips.
A change to the rules on continuity of employment, so that a break of up to four weeks between contracts will not interrupt continuity. Currently a one week break interrupts continuity.
Introduced laws to allow all employees and workers with varying hours and shift patterns (including agency and zero hours workers) to formally request a more fixed working pattern after working for the same employer for 26 weeks.
Abolishing the Swedish Derogation, which gives employers the ability to pay agency workers less than their own workers in certain circumstances.
Introduce laws to streamline the employment status tests so they are the same for employment and tax purposes, and to avoid employers misclassifying employees/workers as self-employed.
Increasing the penalty for employer’s aggravating conduct from £5,000 to £20,000.
Let’s see what happens in the New Year.
