Leading employment experts and major employers have said there is “nothing to fear” from the Government’s Employment Rights Bill, arguing that the reforms will support fairer workplaces, boost productivity and bring the UK closer in line with international employment standards.
The comments came during a roundtable held in Parliament on Tuesday 11 November — the same day new figures revealed unemployment had risen to 5%, the highest rate for a decade outside the pandemic period. Hosted by the Policy Liaison Group on Workplace Wellbeing and attended by Labour MP Katrina Murray, the discussion explored how the Bill could help shape a stronger and more inclusive labour market.
Participants agreed that the Bill represents a long-overdue modernisation of the UK’s fragmented employment law framework. While critics have suggested the legislation will place extra burdens on employers, attendees noted that many of the reforms — including day-one protection from unfair dismissal, enhanced sick pay and parental leave, and stronger anti-harassment measures — are already routine among responsible employers.
The real challenge, experts argued, lies not in the reforms themselves but in the practical implementation, including updating HR systems, payroll processes and internal policies. However, this is eased by a staged, sector-by-sector rollout, which businesses welcomed as a sensible and collaborative approach to major employment change.
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