The Starmer Government’s Employment Rights Bill

Introduction

In October 2024, the Labour government unveiled its long-anticipated Employment Rights Bill, which introduces a sweeping overhaul of employment law. The bill, part of Labour’s broader campaign to modernise workers’ rights, aims to address job security, pay equity, and work-life balance, with multiple reforms set to reshape the relationship between employers and their workforce.

Below, is a deeper dive into some of the key proposals, including timelines for their implementation and an assessment of how businesses are reacting.

Enhanced Protection Against Unfair Dismissal

One of the most groundbreaking elements of the Employment Rights Bill is the removal of the two-year qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims. Under current law, employees must be employed for two years before they can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. The new legislation will allow employees to claim unfair dismissal from day one