Book a call
Blog / New Labour Government – employment update
By LegalEdge News Jul 08, 2024

New Labour Government – employment update

TL;DR:

  1. The new Labour government are expected to introduce new laws that will significantly change employee rights.
  2. Ensure your framework for employee risk management is up to date now.
  3. You’ll then be ready to adapt to changes as they occur.

What’s happened?

The UK woke up on 5th July 2024 to a Labour government for the first time in 14 years. Considered to be more to the left of the political spectrum than our most recent government, the party has previously set out a number of proposals that, if implemented, would have a significant impact on employment law and management of personnel in the UK. 

It remains to be seen how many of the proposals will survive contact with the real world of government, but we could see the following changes put in motion before the end of the year: 

  • Removing the two-year qualifying period for employees to bring claims of unfair dismissal – so all employees would have access to the full body of employments rights from day one (together with a set of mandatory rules around use of probationary periods).
  • Making flexible working the default position from day one of employment, rather than an employee having to request it.
  • Changes to ban “exploitative” zero-hours/ casual worker contracts.
  • Creating a new body with wide-ranging authority to inspect workplaces and enforce workers’ rights.
  • Extending family-friendly leave, such as rights to paid leave being available from day one of employment and introducing paid carer’s leave.
  • Introducing a legal right to “switch off” from work communications between certain hours.
  • Doubling the length of time employees have to bring claims against employers in the Employment Tribunal.

What does it mean for us?

If implemented as planned, the framework through which your people are currently managed will change significantly. Employment contracts, handbook/ policies, ways of working and methods of personnel-related risk management will all need to be updated accordingly. 

We recommend a “health-check” of your current employment-related risk areas to ensure you’re in good shape to quickly adapt to new changes and consider a full update of your employment-management infrastructure for late-2024/early-2025.

For more details get in touch on info@legaledge.co.uk

Back To Blog Our Services
  • Share:

What do our clients think?

Read More Testimonials

For Companies

We’ll set up a cost-effective, efficient legal function for your business. You’ll have an experienced lawyer as your single point of contact who works as part of your operations team.

No duplication and no reinventing the wheel each time. We get to know your business quickly to manage your legal matters effectively and add value. And as your flexible in-house legal function, we can be scaled up or down depending on needs.

We analyse risk and prioritise what’s important, then manage and carry out the day-to-day legal work, all to a set budget. We’ve all worked as in-house lawyers in fast growth companies, so know what you need (and don’t need) to worry about. We’ll work with you to get deals and contracts done and help achieve your business goals.

“The fact that all their lawyers have worked inside businesses means they are commercial, pragmatic and know exactly how to prioritise what’s important.”

COO – Squirro

“We’re very pleased with the work LegalEdge are doing for us. We’re getting quick and decisive responses that are really helping us move forward.”

Finance & Operations Director - Depop

For Legal Teams

We work with small in-house legal teams that need additional support on a flexible basis without adding to headcount.

Whether it’s overflow work, a project or just a much-needed extra pair of hands we can help. We get the job done without supervision, working seamlessly as part of your team or behind the scenes, whatever works best for you. We don’t do endless negotiations on the clock or write long legal memos. We just help prioritise, find solutions and get it done.We understand the challenges and demands of small in-house teams because we’ve been there. We work as an extension to your team, get up to speed on business priorities quickly, and help you keep control of legal workflow and budget.

“The ideal solution for the busy in-house counsel who is unable to add a permanent head as you have the ability to flex support without the need to rely on expensive law firms.”

Vice President & EMEA Managing Counsel – Thomson Reuters

“LegalEdge has provided excellent, commercially focused advice as part of our in-house legal team that has helped us close contracts with our customers and partners.”

CEO - Diona

Contact Us