Coronavirus and work
Experts set out proposals to ensure the damage to the economy and workers is limited.
The IER welcomes the government's moves to protect jobs but warns millions may not be covered.
In these extraordinary times, action must be collective, not individual. We have been pleased to see the government take this on board in their Coronavirus efforts and in heeding the calls of unions to protect workers’ wages.
However, the individualised nature of UK labour law does not readily adapt to emergency situations where collectivism is needed, even when the government pursues a collective response.
In the articles below, our experts explain the shortcomings of the law and how all of these issues can be quickly rectified.
A Post-Covid-19 Manifesto
Professor Keith Ewing and Lord John Hendy QC propose a framework for economic recovery that ensures the burden is felt fairly across the population rather than being shouldered by the poorest and most insecure.
Covid-19 Webinar series
BOOK NOW: Education: health and psychological wellbeing
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Professor Susan Michie and Dr Mary Bousted discuss the risks facing teachers and how they can be protected.
WATCH: Post-pandemic policies discussed - Lord John Hendy QC and Andy McDonald MP
IER Chair Lord John Hendy QC and Shadow Secretary for Employment Rights and Protections Andy McDonald discuss economic recovery and a 'Just transition'.
WATCH: Equality - it's a class issue
Professor Lydia Hayes, Dr Faiza Shaheen and Roger McKenzie discuss gender and race inequality during a time of pandemic.
WATCH: Lord John Hendy QC - Govt has not told employers what their legal duties are during Covid-19
IER Chair, Lord John Hendy QC, addresses delegates at a Campaign for Trade Union Freedom event.
WATCH: Health and safety at work - stay safe!
Academics and campaigners updated delegates on health and safety at work in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.
IER experts on the Coronavirus
Relevant health and safety law for workers during Coronavirus
Lord John Hendy QC briefs on all the relevant legislation that may help to protect workers during the pandemic.
The gaps in the government’s Coronavirus income protection plans
IER Chair, Lord John Hendy QC, warns that millions of workers risk destitution due to gaps in the Job Retention Scheme.
Whistleblowing about health and safety concerns: some comments about what the law does and does not provide for workers
A detailed look at the rights workers have to blow the whistle on poor health and safety compliance during the pandemic.
When is it right to stop the job?
We know the law is no friend of workers, so how can we ensure health and safety in the workplace amid desperate times for many?
Victory on government funding of sick pay for care workers: Some background and implications
The government's promise to fund sick pay for care workers is a step towards recognising the intrinsic link between care quality and workers' rights.
No safety without the unions
The government has now released its own ‘guidance’ for a return to work by stealth — cutting workers’ representation out of the picture
In search of the Covid-secure workplace
If the average workplace will only be inspected once every 275 years, how does Boris expect these Covid 'spot checks' to work?
Coronavirus at work: Where is the regulatory leadership?
The HSE appears to be parroting government advice, even where it contradicts other guidelines.
Covid-19: Learning from the past for a better future
A massively expanded state is needed with a greater role for unions and the people themselves - presenting a post-pandemic manifesto.
Private sector care providers and the grey zone
Private contractors are using NHS money to force workers to conduct non essential work instead of helping to fight Covid-19.
The UK's health and safety laws deliberately fall below international norms, and workers are paying the price
A new report from the IER reveals how poorly the UK's health and safety laws are compared with international norms.
Is gagging NHS workers lawful? Coronavirus and freedom of speech
As NHS workers report intimidation against would-be whistleblowers, does gagging during a pandemic square with human rights laws?
All in it together? The reality is sadly different It’s the poor who will suffer the most
It’s the poor who will suffer the most in this epidemic, which shows the need to reverse 40 years of neoliberalism.
Furloughing and fundamental rights: The case of paid annual leave
Can an employer force a furloughed worker to take annual leave?
Coronavirus has exposed the reality of precarious Britain
The coronavirus crisis has lifted the lid on Britain's economy and demonstrated the case for strong trade unions.
Not Legislating in a Crisis? The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Part 2
IER experts detail the legal issues preventing millions of workers from gaining support during the crisis and how these can be easily and immediiately resolved.
The coronavirus infected self-employment chickens have come back to roost - in their millions
Bogus self employment is deepening the Coronavirus crisis by draining the NHS of funds and leaving millions reliant on government hand outs.
The Coronavirus: Rights to leave the workplace and strikes
The rights (and lack thereof) of workers to leave the workplace due to the threat of the Coronavirus and the risks facing trade unions when they provide information to members on the pandemic.
Data is deepening our knowledge of job insecurity – there may be many more people in dire straits than we realise
New research has revealed zero-hour contracts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to job insecurity.
Legislating in times of crisis
IER experts set forth proposals for an Emergency Bill to ensure the Job Retention Scheme works for all.
The Coronavirus Bill wil leave millions in poverty
Lord John Hendy QC warns that the Coronavirus Bill is almost entirely aimed at supporting business but leaves workers out in the cold.
Ten things the government can do right now to prevent a Corona depression
40 experts back these proposals for simple and immediate actions to save the economy.
Blaming Flybe's collapse on Coronavirus hides a broken corporate model
Flybe's collapse has a lot more to do with the financialisation of modern-day capitalism than it does with a newly discovered virus.
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