Latest News
Proposals to improve workers’ rights welcome, but reform must go further still
20 November 2017
Today's publication of a draft bill from the Works and Pensions (DWP) Committee and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee to improve workers' rights and strengthen their enforcement is welcome, but the Institute of Employment Rights says reform must go further still to adequately protect workers.
Govt votes down proposal to enshrine EU workers’ rights in primary legislation
17 November 2017
The government has voted down proposals to enshrine EU-derived workers' rights in primary legislation during the UK's exit from the bloc, so that any changes to employment law must face a a democratic vote in parliament rather than being made unilaterally by the Conservative Party.
Leaked doc suggests EU seeking a CETA-style trade deal with UK
17 November 2017
A leaked document from Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier suggests that the EU will seek a trade relationship with the UK that is reminiscent of the recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) the bloc agreed with Canada.
CitySprint changes contracts to avoid workers’ rights
16 November 2017
"Gig" employer CitySprint has changed its contracts after one of its couriers was found to be a "worker" at tribunal.
Deliveroo ‘gig workers’ want collective bargaining rights
15 November 2017
Despite protestations from courier firm Deliveroo that its 'gig' workers are happy with their terms and conditions, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) has found that a majority of riders for the firm in Camden and Kentish Town, London, want collective bargaining rights.
1 in 20 new mothers made redundant, new report shows
10 November 2017
A new report has revealed that one in every 20 pregnant women or new mothers is made redundant, and many of these job losses are conducted unfairly.
UK managers most discouraged from whistleblowing, international survey reveals
10 November 2017
A survey of 2,500 business managers across the US, Asia and Europe has found that those situated in the UK are the least likely to have been involved in whistleblowing.
EAT upholds ruling that Uber drivers are ‘workers’
10 November 2017
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has today upheld last year's ruling that Uber drivers are legally classified as 'workers' and are thus eligible for basic workers' rights, including the minimum wage, holiday pay and rest breaks.
Pay gap has widened for young women, campaigners warn
10 November 2017
Today is Equal Pay Day, marking the point in the year when women start working for free compared with men, and campaigners have warned the situation is getting worse
Number stuck on low pay grows, as nearly 1 in 5 paid less than Real Living Wage
06 November 2017
Almost one in five workers in the UK are paid less than the Real Living Wage, new research has shown.
A quarter of workers offered no training, study shows
06 November 2017
A quarter of UK workers are offered no on-the-job training outside of a basic starters' induction, a new study by the TUC has revealed.
Govt launches scheme to ‘encourage’ employers to pay social care workers minimum wage
03 November 2017
Lifting its recent amnesty on the enforcement of minimum wage for social care employers, the government has launched a new programme to encourage providers to provide back pay to workers that have been illegally underpaid.
