Theresa May announced today the Conservative party’s forerunning manifesto points on workplace rights: new employment protection will be created in “the greatest expansion of worker’s rights” by any Conservative Government. Already, the plans have been criticised as a blatant tactic to steal Labour voters who are traditionally the ‘worker rights’ party.
More time off for employees is at the top of the agenda, with a significant move to force employers to keep jobs open for employees who take up to a year off in order to provide full-time care to a relative. There would be no obligation to pay employees during this time, unlike the separate pledge to provide paid leave for parents whose child dies. Employees would be entitled to two weeks’ bereavement leave without loss of pay in these circumstances. Many employers already offer paid bereavement leave to employees but are allowed to dictate the total period of leave as well as the level of pay. However, time off for caring responsibilities could create resourcing headaches for employees who normally restrict lengthy periods of leave for employees having a baby.
Added protections for ‘gig economy’ workers may see the right to maternity and paternity leave extended to these flexible workers, increasing an employer’s administrative burden and also their pay bill in terms of statutory payments.
Still on the family friendly angle, the Prime Minister will invest in “returnships”, offering training and support for mothers who are coming back to work after taking time off to bring up a family.
More time off for employees will come in the form of an extension to the current laws on taking time off for training.
Employers who embrace these changes are more likely to improve employee engagement in their firms as employees continue to try to balance their working life with their life out of work.
Other pledges include an extension to laws on disability discrimination to those with short term mental health conditions and increased representation of workers on company boards.
