Government to row back on some employment rights reforms

Plans to give workers the right to “switch off” outside working hours are set to be dropped by the government this week as part of a softening of its employment reforms, according to reports.

The policy, which formed a key part of Labour’s manifesto, would have made it illegal for employers to expect their workers to be contactable outside designated work hours.

According to The Times, the plans have been dropped in a move to reduce the impact on businesses, and ministers will table a series of amendments to the bill on Tuesday.

Changes will include a “lighter touch” approach to probation periods, setting them at nine months rather than the six called for by trade unions in a concession to business leaders, the paper reported.

There is no maximum limit set on probation periods, which allows employers to ask new staff members to leave with one week’s notice if they do not work for the role.

Day-one protections against unfair dismissal and some curbs on zero-hour contracts will still remain.

The government has promised to bring in the “biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation” as part of its employment reforms.

But businesses have raised concerns that higher costs and tighter employment regulations could limit growth.

Writing in The Times over the weekend, Whitbread boss Dominic Paul opposed plans to guarantee workers’ hours as it would limit the ability of hospitality businesses to reduce staffing levels during periods of low demand.

Paul wrote: “It’s absolutely right that employees are protected so that rogue employment practices are stamped out. But flexibility is key, not just for businesses like ours, but also for many of the people who work for us, who fit their work around other commitments like studying or caring for others.”

How can hospitality prepare for changes to employment rights?

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