The UK government has revised its earlier commitment to allow workers to claim unfair dismissal from their first day on the job. Instead of this immediate right, ministers have announced that the entitlement will commence after a period of six months. This decision follows feedback from business groups expressing concerns about the initial proposal.
The government explained that this change aims to facilitate the progress of its employment legislation in the House of Lords, where it has encountered opposition. Despite this adjustment, new rights regarding day-one sick pay and paternity leave will still be implemented, with their enforcement set for April 2026.
Currently, employers have additional legal complexities when dismissing employees who have been in their positions for two years or longer. They must provide a justifiable reason—such as misconduct or performance issues—and demonstrate that they followed a fair process. The previous Labour government had proposed eliminating this two-year requirement entirely, paired with the introduction of a new probation period to be created after consultations.
The initial promise of day-one unfair dismissal rights was a significant pledge in Labour’s manifesto during the last general election and a core component of its Employment Rights Bill. However, votes in the House of Lords in favor of a six-month waiting period have delayed the bill’s advancement.
In discussions with business groups and unions, the decision to amend the waiting period emerged. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed approval of the change, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that rights like day-one sick pay become law by the intended date. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak has urged the House of Lords to honor Labour’s manifesto commitments. Meanwhile, some members of the Conservative party labeled the U-turn as “humiliating,” criticizing the current legislation as inadequate and calling for further amendments.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2d7j350q1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss