The Employment Rights Act is a crucial piece of legislation that governs the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers in the UK It sets out key employment protections such as the right to a minimum wage, the right to paid holidays, and the right to protection against unfair dismissal Over the years, there have been several changes to the Employment Rights Act that have impacted how workplaces operate and how employees are protected In this article, we will explore some of the recent changes to the Employment Rights Act and how they have affected both employees and employers.
One of the most significant changes to the Employment Rights Act in recent years is the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The GDPR, which came into effect in May 2018, sets out strict rules for how personal data is handled and processed by organisations This has had a major impact on how employers collect and store employee data, as they are now required to obtain explicit consent from employees before processing their personal information Employers are also required to ensure that employee data is kept secure and confidential, and must notify employees of any data breaches that may occur.
Another important change to the Employment Rights Act is the introduction of the Good Work Plan in April 2020 The Good Work Plan introduced a number of measures aimed at improving employment rights for workers, including the right to receive a written statement of terms and conditions on the first day of employment, the abolition of the Swedish derogation (which allowed employers to pay agency workers less than permanent employees), and the introduction of new rules around holiday pay calculations for seasonal workers These changes have helped to strengthen the rights of workers and ensure that they are treated fairly in the workplace.
One area of the Employment Rights Act that has seen significant changes in recent years is the protection against unfair dismissal In July 2013, the government introduced fees for employees wishing to bring a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal These fees were intended to reduce the number of frivolous claims being brought to tribunal, but they were widely criticised for being unfair and limiting access to justice for employees changes to employment rights act. In July 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that employment tribunal fees were unlawful, leading to their abolition This change has made it easier for employees to bring claims of unfair dismissal against their employers and has ensured that justice is accessible to all.
Another important change to the Employment Rights Act is the introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016 The National Living Wage is a minimum wage rate set by the government that applies to workers aged 25 and over The introduction of the National Living Wage has helped to lift thousands of workers out of poverty and has ensured that those on the lowest incomes are paid a fair wage for their work Employers are required to pay all eligible workers the National Living Wage, and failure to do so can result in penalties and enforcement action.
In addition to these changes, there have been several other amendments to the Employment Rights Act that have impacted how workplaces operate These include changes to the rules around flexible working, changes to the rules around maternity and paternity leave, and changes to the rules around redundancy pay These changes have aimed to improve the rights of employees and ensure that they are treated fairly by their employers.
Overall, the Employment Rights Act plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of employees and setting out the responsibilities of employers in the UK The changes that have been made to the Employment Rights Act in recent years have helped to strengthen these protections and ensure that employees are treated fairly in the workplace By keeping up to date with these changes and understanding how they impact the rights of workers, both employees and employers can ensure that they are complying with the law and promoting a fair and just working environment