PUBLIC CONSULTATION: THE ‘GOOD JOBS’ EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL (4 July)
05/07/2024
On 1 July 2024, the Economy Minister launched the much awaited Public Consultation entitled the ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill’
This is the first in depth Consultation on Employment Rights in Northern Ireland in a very long time and it’s truly a bumper one.
The Consultation is divided into 4 Main Themes with 190 Questions. At a high-level overview the proposals include:
- Recent new rights that have been brought in in Great Britain via Private Member Bills such as:
- Neonatal Leave
- Carer’s leave
- Protection from redundancy during pregnancy & family leave
- Other rights that were implemented in Great Britain over last few years such as:
- Day 1 Written Statement, requirement to provide additional particulars, and extending it to workers
- Abolishing Pay between Assignments for Agency Workers
- Key Information Documents for Agency Workers
- Fire & Rehire Proposals
- Proposals that are part of the Labour Manifesto such as:
- Right to Disconnect
- Workplace access for Trade Unions
- Electronic balloting
- Collective Sectoral Bargaining (no proposal but seeking views on how it can be improved)
- Proposals bespoke to Northern Ireland such as:
- Public Interest Disclosure and Annual Duty to Report
Helpfully on pages 4 – 8 it has a Summary of the Consultation Proposals.
The 4 Key Themes and Sub Headings under each below are:
THEME A: TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
– Zero-hour contracts
– Employment Status & Bogus Self Employment
– Dismissal & Re-engagement
– Failure to Notify (Redundancies)
– Pay Between Assignments
– Key Information Document for Agency Workers
THEME B: PAY AND BENEFITS
– Tips
– Payslips
– Working Time Reference Period (*extending to 52 weeks)
– Record Keeping
– Right to Disconnect
THEME C: VOICE & REPRESENTATION
– Workplace Access
– Collective Bargaining: Recognition
– Introduction of Collective Sectoral Bargaining
– Balloting & Notice
– Electronic Balloting
– Protections for Representatives
– Protections for Employees
– Facilitating Productive Workplace
– TUPE Changes
– Public interest Disclosure: Annual Duty to Report
THEME D: WORK-LIFE BALANCE
– Flexible Working
– Carer’s Leave
– Neonatal Care Leave & Pay
– Protection from Redundancy- Pregnancy & Family Leave
– Paternity Leave
Conclusion:
This is a very significant consultation and whilst Employers Federation will be entering a response on behalf of Members, we would also strongly encourage as many businesses and HR professionals to also submit a response. Your views count and your experience is vital to this process. The deadline for responding is 30 September 2024 by 5pm.
We at Employers Federation have arranged a Briefing Session with Members at 10am on 31 July 2024 to discuss the proposals. If you wish to attend please message info@eefni.org.