The blueprint for improving workers' rights will shake up the relationship between real estate companies and their employees.
The government's new employment rights bill includes 28 measures to improve working conditions, including the right to claim unfair dismissal from your first day on the job. 
The current minimum period of two years before a claim for unfair dismissal can be brought through an employment tribunal will be abolished. However, new employees will have a trial period of up to nine months, during which time they can be fired through a “lesser” process.
Changes in sickness and injury benefits
Due to negotiations, this measure is not expected to take effect until autumn 2026 at the earliest. Other features of the bill include providing statutory sick pay from the first day of illness and abolishing the current three-day waiting period.
Entitlements to paid and unpaid parental leave will accrue from the first day of employment, compared to the current 26 or 52 weeks that must be received respectively. There will also be a new legal right to bereavement leave.
Request for flexible work
If an employer refuses a flexible work request, it must demonstrate that its decision is reasonable based on eight criteria.
And workers on zero-hours or short-time contracts must be offered contracts based on 12 weeks of work. Receive shift pattern notifications and receive payment in case of last-minute cancellations.
right to switch off
The “right to switch off” was omitted with a promise to consider it at a later date.
Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds said: “Good employers know that employees are more productive when they are satisfied with their jobs.
“That’s why it’s important to give employers the flexibility they need to grow while eradicating unscrupulous and unfair practices.”
Anthony Hesse, a real estate human resources physician, told The Neg that the bill represents the biggest employment law reform in his 36 years of running a staffing agency.
“We still need to work out the details of how things will actually change, but it appears that these changes will lead to improvements in the working lives of millions of people, and that is certainly a good thing. There should be.
These changes will favor employees rather than employers. ”
“When it comes to the real estate industry, these changes will favor employees over employers, just as the Tenant Bill of Rights favors tenants over landlords,” he says.
“My concern is that some of the changes will discourage companies from hiring, particularly if employees are protected from unfair dismissal from day one rather than after two years.
“In my opinion, it is essential that this reform includes a trial period in order to give companies confidence and give talent a chance.Furthermore, for example, changes to SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) and parental leave will It would be good for the government to shoulder this cost, as it would put a lot of financial pressure on small businesses in particular.”
Find out more about the Employment Rights Bill here.
