What The New UK Government Means For Job Seekers

There's a new government in power and plans to make big changes to employment laws. These aren't legislation yet, but here's what they are planning and how it might affect you if their policies come into force. Here are some of the key proposed changes to keep an eye on: 

Stronger Employee Rights

  • Unfair Dismissal and Parental Leave: From day one, you will be able to claim unfair dismissal or parental leave. You won't need to wait a year for these rights. This helps you feel secure in your job right away.
  • Maternity Protections: It will be illegal to fire a woman during pregnancy or within six months after she returns from parental leave. This will better protect new and expecting mothers. 

Redundancy Consultation

  • The government will look at redundancies across the whole company, not just at individual locations. Even minor job cuts could lead to collective consultations, giving you more job security.

Pay Gap Reporting

  • Companies with more than 250 employees must report pay gaps based on gender, ethnicity, and disability. They will also need to make plans to fix these gaps. This aims to ensure fairer pay.

Zero-hours Contracts and Flexible Working

  • Zero-hours Contracts: These will be limited. After 12 weeks, your contract should reflect your regular hours. This gives you more job stability and predictable income.
  • Flexible Working: From your first day, the right to ask for flexible working will be the norm. This helps you balance work with other parts of your life, like education or family.

Enforcement and Compliance

  • A new Single Enforcement Body will protect your rights. This includes fair pay and safe working conditions. They will have the power to inspect workplaces and enforce laws, giving you more protection.

Living Wage Reform

  • Cost of Living Adjustment: The minimum wage will be adjusted based on the cost of living, helping you meet your basic needs.
  • Uniform Minimum Wage: All adult workers will get the same minimum wage, regardless of age.

How to Prepare

  1. Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights, now and as they change, especially for unfair dismissal, parental leave, and flexible working.
  2. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news on employment laws.
  3. Research: When applying for jobs, find out about the company's policies on flexible working, maternity protections, and redundancies.
  4. Know Your Worth: Be aware of pay gap reporting and living wage reforms. Companies should be transparent and work to fix pay disparities.
  5. Seek Help: If you think your rights are being ignored, contact someone for help. This might be a Union or Citizen's Advice now and the Single Enforcement Body when it comes in.

By staying informed and proactive, you can handle these changes confidently and make the most of new opportunities. Knowing your rights and available support will help you succeed in the job market. Stay updated and use resources like Monster articles and newsletters to stay ahead in your job search and career growth.