Employment

Government responds to consultation on amendments to employment tribunal postponement procedures

Trade Union Bill raises a number of potential human rights concerns, says JCHR

Introducing its report - Legislative Scrutiny: Trade Union Bill - Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights Harriet Harman said - 'Assuming the Bill passes its remaining stages we recommend that this be subject to post legislative scrutiny at an early stage, to ensure that the measures are both proportionate and in compliance with human rights laws'

One in five jobs in London now pay less than the London LIving Wage

New report from the London Assembly Economy Committee also finds that the proportion of people employed on part-time and temporary contracts has increased from 25 per cent to 29 per cent since 2008.

Scottish Government puts forward funding deal to enable living wage to be paid to care workers

Finance Secretary John Swinney writes to each of Scotland's 32 Council leaders giving a deadline of February 9 to respond to the deal.

Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission 2016

New report sets out the government’s evidence and analysis to the Low Pay Commission on national minimum wage policy.

Government launches consultation on ‘closed recruitment practices’ in the public sector

Call for evidence designed to gather information on the use of internal-only recruitment in the public sector, including whether it is ever ineffectively or inappropriately used.

UK ratifies landmark International Labour Organisation agreement to combat forced labour

UK joins Niger and Norway as one of the first nations to sign the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention 1930 designed to combat forced labour, people trafficking and other forms of modern slavery.

Government publishes impact assessment for the Trade Union Bill

Assessment considers the impact of the measures included in the Trade Union Bill on businesses, public sector employers, government and individuals including transition costs and ongoing costs and benefits.

New ballot thresholds to be introduced for important public services

Following a consultation process the government has announced it will bring forward regulations to provide that industrial action in specific services in the fire, health, education, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning sectors will require the support of at least 40 per cent of all those entitled to vote in the relevant ballot and, additionally, that ballots will also require at least a 50 per cent turnout in order to be valid.

New proposals to restrict zero hour contracts to improve quality of social care in Wales

Welsh Government launches consultation on potential action to improve recruitment and retention of domiciliary care workers after research shows there is a clear relationship between domiciliary care employment terms and conditions and the quality of care provided.

UK Government should remove Scotland from Trades Union Bill

Action needed to avoid damaging industrial relations north of the border, says Holyrood committee.

‘Only way to truly protect workers in Scotland is to fully devolve trade union powers’

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham speaking before the first of a series of discussions on opposition to Westminster's Trade Union Bill, and ways to mitigate its effects on the productive relationship with Trade Unions in Scotland.

TUC raises concerns about reform of Gangmasters Licensing Authority

Proposals to make licensing more flexible will lead to fewer workplace inspections, leaving workers more vulnerable to exploitation, says General Secretary

EHRC warns that Trade Union Bill could breach people’s human rights

'Joining a trade union and peacefully picketing outside workplaces is a right not a privilege and restrictions have to be properly justified and proportionate', says EHRC Commissioner.

Government publishes outcome of consultation on labour market exploitation

New document sets out measures that government will take to tackle exploitation including creation of labour market undertaking and enforcement order regime and reform of Gangmasters Licensing Authority to become the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

Acas report on key workplace trends for 2016

New report identifies workplace bullying, pay, new trade union bill and productivity as key workplace trends to look out for in coming year.

Resolution Foundation outlines challenges in implementing National Living Wage

Today's briefing highlights importance of ensuring that any negative impact on jobs is kept to a minimum and that large groups of workers do not get stuck earning only the legal minimum.