One of the more curious suggestions to emerge from the Taylor Review is the proposal to replace the concept of “worker” in employment law with that of “dependent contractor”. This proposal might sound interesting, but here’s 5 reasons why it may not be such a good idea. All working people should benefit from the same floor…
Over the last year, the TUC has highlighted just how many of the workplace rights most of us take for granted come from Europe and how these rights could be at risk as we prepare to leave the EU. The government has sought to allay these concerns by promising the Repeal Bill would protect workers’…
Within hours of the General Election, the government was held to account on the international stage for the failings of the UK welfare system – with worker reps from Sweden, France, Australia, the International Transport Federation all calling on the UK government to bring UK provision into line with international minimum standards. The International Labour…
Tina is a qualified further education lecturer employed through an agency which forced her to sign a permanent contract of employment. She is only paid for the time she spends teaching but not for planning or attending meetings. Because she only teaches 24 hours a week she can’t claim working tax credit. Her colleague, who…
If the government is to be believed we should all be feeling more secure because the numbers in employment are rising. However, the reality is very different for many in precarious work, where exploitation is the norm and there is no prospect of escape or hope that things will improve. Employers argue that flexible contracts are good…
With Christmas bargains on offer and the January sales around the corner, this is the busiest time of the year on the high street. It’s also the time when those working in shops are under enormous pressure to keep the shelves stacked and to share the Christmas cheer. But how often do we spare a…
Until recently all of us assumed that when we are off sick we would still be paid, whether through a sick pay scheme negotiated by a trade union, through a company sick pay policy or, in the absence of these, through statutory sick pay (SSP). This seems perfectly reasonable in 21st century Britain. No one…
Since July 2013, many workers who have been sexually harassed, sacked because of their race, or bullied because of their sexuality have been forced to pay an eye-watering £1,200 for their claim to be heard by an employment tribunal.
Yesterday, the government announced its latest proposals aimed at stripping away basic workplace rights. Included in the announcement was the confirmation that two significant changes to unfair dismissal rules are expected to come into effect at the end of this month (on 29 July). The plans will make it cheaper and easier for employers to…