There are a number of changes to UK employment law that are expected to take place in the near future. Here are some of the key developments:??
- Flexible Working: Employees now have the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment.??
- Parental Leave: There have been changes to parental leave entitlements, including paternity leave.??
- Statutory Pay: The rate of statutory pay for various types of leave, such as maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, has increased.??
- Predictable Working Patterns: The government is consulting on a new law that would give workers the right to request more predictable terms of employment.??
- Sexual Harassment: Employers will have a new duty to take "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.??
- Fire and Rehire: The government is expected to introduce a new code of practice on dismissal and re-engagement.??
- Day One Right to Unfair Dismissal: Employees may soon have protection against unfair dismissal from their first day of employment.??
In addition, although there is no government-mandated 4-day workweek in the UK, the concept has gained significant traction, and there are ongoing discussions and trials to explore its feasibility and potential benefits.
Several factors are influencing this trend:
- Increased interest: More businesses and employees are interested in exploring the 4-day workweek as a way to improve work-life balance and potentially boost productivity.??
- Trials and experiments: Some companies are conducting pilot programs to assess the impact of a 4-day workweek on their operations and employees.??
- Government support: While there's no official government mandate, there is growing support for initiatives that promote flexible working arrangements.
It's important to note that the implementation of a 4-day workweek would likely depend on factors like industry, company size, and individual circumstances.
For the most up-to-date information, we recommend consulting with a legal professional or visiting the website of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD):?
