[IER] Govt throws workers crumbs while quietly ripping up their rights

Fri Sep 24 21:01:36 BST 2021

News brief - 24/09/21                                                                            <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=de94b4fc7d> View this email in your browser 

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Govt throws workers crumbs while quietly ripping up their rights

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In the week leading up to the Labour Party Conference - where further detail on the Labour Party's New Deal for Workers is expected to be announced - the government has made three new pledges for improved employment rights. All three offer the bare minimum of protection to workers.

Meanwhile, another announcement was quietly made in the House of Lords - that Ministers are working on ways to rip up workers' rights as quickly as they can.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has this week offered workers  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/carers-get-a-week-off-work-but-they-wont-be-paid/> carer's leave (but without pay), the  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/hospitality-staff-get-tips-protection-after-five-year-wait/> right to keep their tips (a whole five years after they promised to do so!), and  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-offers-workers-right-to-ask-nicely-for-flexible-working-conditions/> the right to "ask nicely" for flexible working conditions.

Unsurprisingly, these proposals have been roundly criticised by unions, with the TUC accusing Ministers of "tinkering around the edges".

Of more concern, however, was Lord David Frost's speech to the House of Lords, which the government chose not to publicise. Frost told peers that he would be reviewing EU-derived labour laws, seeking to end the agreement that EU rights take precedence over domestic legislation, and  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-lays-out-plans-to-scrap-employment-laws-without-parliamentary-debate/> hoped to expedite a bonfire of rights without parliamentary debate.

If you're heading down to the Labour Party Conference this weekend, come along to the  <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/ier-ctuf-labour-party-fringe-a-new-deal-for-workers/> IER fringe on Monday, where a high profile panel of speakers will discuss the government's attitude to workers' rights, as well as Labour's promise to do better. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IER.AdvertisingSheet.V7.Feb21.pdf> 

Vacancy: Director of the IER

The Institute of Employment Rights is looking for a new Director to lead our small but busy office.

This is a great opportunity to contribute your skills to an established and well-respected think tank. 

We are looking for an individual with experience of the trade union movement, who is able to work well under pressure, prioritise a busy workload, deliver projects to tight deadlines and is prepared to travel to represent IER at appropriate events.

Deadline for applications: 01 October 2021

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/vacancy-director-of-the-ier/> Read more and apply 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IER.AdvertisingSheet.V7.Feb21.pdf> 

Low-cost advertising with the IER

The IER is proud to launch a programme of low-cost advertising to trade unions and the organisations that wish to reach them as a means of supporting our charitable aims.

For just £50, you can have your image in our newsletter, with a link to your website, campaign, event or service, and a coloured box of text - just like this - all about you.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IER.AdvertisingSheet.V7.Feb21.pdf> Read more 

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Hospitality staff get tips protection after five-year wait

Former Business Secretary Sajid Javid initially promised the new law in 2016.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/hospitality-staff-get-tips-protection-after-five-year-wait/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/85c47049-0203-fd3c-7fef-3e9b086bc170.jpeg> 

Carers get a week off work, but they won’t be paid

The government is introducing a week of unpaid leave for workers with caring duties.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/carers-get-a-week-off-work-but-they-wont-be-paid/> Read full story 

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Govt offers workers “right to ask nicely” for flexible working conditions

The government's proposals have been criticised for "tinkering around the edges".

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-offers-workers-right-to-ask-nicely-for-flexible-working-conditions/> Read full story 

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Govt lays out plans to scrap employment laws without Parliamentary debate

Lord David Frost told peers that he wants to introduce a fast-track mechanism for getting rid of EU labour laws.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-lays-out-plans-to-scrap-employment-laws-without-parliamentary-debate/> Read full story 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/3434105f-16bd-4802-5d82-b9d6dd025b4d.jpg> 

27th September 2021 – 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Charlotte Room, The Grand Hotel, Brighton, Brighton, BN1 2FW

FREE 

Speakers

Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights and protections

Lord John Hendy QC, IER

Dr Jo Grady, UCU

Prof Keith Ewing, IER

Chair: Carolyn Jones, IER Director

Refreshments provided

 <https://www.morrishsolicitors.com/> This event was kindly sponsored by Morrish Solicitors

 <https://www.morrishsolicitors.com/> 

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21st October 2021 – 10:00 am - 1:35 pm 

Our most popular annual event returns. To ensure everyone is as safe as possible, we’ve decided that this year we will host our update as a Zoom webinar.

Every year, the Institute of Employment Rights brings together lawyers, academics and campaigners to update delegates on the cases and legislation that have had the most significant impact on workers’ rights over the past 12 months.

This year, the Coronavirus pandemic and building back better is inevitably the focus of the UK’s changing workplace, and our annual update reflects this.

SPEAKERS

Rebecca Tuck QC, Old Square chambers – Employment law update overview 2021.

Jo Seery, Thompsons Solicitors – Coronavirus and the workplace.

Rohan Pirani, Regional Employment Judge and CAC Duty Chair – Tribunals and courts: practice & procedures.

Paul Scholey, Morrish Solicitors – Cases from the plague year.

Professor Keith Ewing, IER – Changes in statute during pandemic and the shifting landscape of workplace rights.

Chaired by Carolyn Jones, Director of the IER

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2021/> Book your place 

IER and Covid-19

Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER is holding all events online until further notice.

IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.

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