The EZHR Weekly Update 31st January 2023
The UK government has launched a consultation on new fire and re-hire code of practice. This consultation proposes changes to the current laws surrounding the termination and re-engagement of employees.
Under the current system, employers have the right to dismiss employees and offer them new terms of employment, even if those terms are less favourable. The new proposals aim to provide more protection for workers, giving them the right to challenge changes to their contract if they are unreasonable.
The government is seeking to address concerns around the abuse of the fire and re-hire practice by some employers, who have been using it as a means of imposing unfavourable changes on their workforce during the pandemic. The proposed changes are expected to give workers more power to negotiate better working conditions and ensure that they are treated fairly and with dignity.
The consultation also includes proposals for a new framework for resolving disputes between employers and employees, which would provide a more accessible and efficient way of resolving disputes without the need for costly legal proceedings.
This consultation has generated a lot of discussion and debate, with some employer groups arguing that the proposals could restrict their ability to manage their workforce effectively, while trade unions and worker groups have welcomed the proposals as a step towards giving workers more rights and protection.
The government's proposals aim to strike a balance between the needs of employers and workers, and it will be interesting to see the outcome of the consultation and the impact it will have on the UK workforce.
Rishi Sunak, has recently announced plans to increase the number of hours foreign students are allowed to work while studying in the UK. This proposal is part of the government's efforts to boost the country's reputation as a destination for international students.
Currently, foreign students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time. The proposal aims to increase this limit, allowing students to work more hours, potentially up to 30 hours per week.
This move is expected to benefit both the students and the UK economy. For students, it would provide more opportunities to earn money and gain work experience, helping them to support themselves while they study.
While the impact of the proposal remains to be seen, it is clear that the government is taking steps to support the needs of both international students and the UK's economy.
Finally KPMG have released a study today detailing that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors are influencing employment decisions for a large number of younger workers. Around one in three said they had turned down a job because the company’s ESG commitments were not in line with their values.
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KPMG UK surveyed around 6,000 UK adult office workers, students, apprentices and those who have left higher education in the past six months on their attitudes to work. The findings highlight that almost one in two (46 per cent) want the company they work for to demonstrate a commitment to ESG, while one in five (20 per cent) have turned down a job offer when the company’s ESG commitments were not in line with their values.
