BUSINESS NEWS


UKHospitality chief


executive Kate Nicholls says: ‘I’m pleased the government has


recognised the importance of flexibility to both


workers and businesses’


Trade weighs impact of Employment Rights Bill


The government has acted quickly to bring in new rights at work. Ian Taylor reports


The government’s Employment Rights Bill, published last week, was hailed as “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation” by prime minister Keir Starmer. Employers’ representatives were


more circumspect while welcoming the opportunity to consult on the detail. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “I’m pleased the government has recognised the importance of flexibility to both workers and businesses. This is crucial for hospitality.” Helen Dickinson, chief executive


56 17 OCTOBER 2024


of the British Retail Consortium, agreed, saying the industry “stands ready to work with government to ensure these reforms are a win-win for employers and colleagues”, while noting: “Many of the provisions are things responsible retailers already do.” Four provisions stand out. First,


protection from unfair dismissal from the first day in a job, but with a “less onerous” process for employers to dismiss someone on probation. The existing two-year wait for protection from unfair dismissal will be removed and the government will consult


on a statutory probation period. Second, employers who refuse


requests for flexible working will need to prove the refusal “reasonable” –making flexible work “the default where practical”. Third, workers will have a right to


a contract reflecting their regular work pattern, ending zero-hours contracts – though details have yet to be specified. Fourth, businesses will find it


harder to change employees’ terms Continued on page 54 travelweekly.co.uk


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PICTURE: Shutterstock/Dmitry Kalinovsky


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