IFOW Response to Publication of the Employment Rights Bill

The Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) welcomes the publication yesterday of the Employment Bill. We share the government’s ambition to raise pay and improve job conditions and quality as part of the Plan to Make Work Pay towards the delivery of Good Work across the country.

There is now sound evidence that the extension of “day one” rights, reciprocity in flexible working and repeal of anti-union legislation should benefit both employers and working people.

We welcome the opportunity for further consultation with employers and civil society in several areas - including access to information, participation, impact monitoring - as the world of work is transformed. These provisions will be important to empower the Fair Work Agency, people and SMEs to anticipate and respond to changes in the workplace. We look forward to continued working with the government, industry and unions to ensure that the new regulation and codes are effective and future-proofed.

Research from IFOW’s Pissarides Review demonstrates the role of good, fair work – and people’s trust in employment protection – in enabling better outcomes through fast-paced transitions and to tackle inequalities across the country. Our work shows the nature and proximity of links between Good Work and wellbeing, which we know is associated with productivity and people’s quality of life. We think this is fundamental to the alignment and delivery of the new mission-driven government.