The Employment Rights Bill contains 28 individual employment reforms, from ending zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights to protection against unfair dismissal and to paternity, parental and bereavement leave. 

Statutory sick pay will be strengthened and flexible working will be made the default, whilst large employers will be required to create action plans on addressing gender pay gaps and supporting employees through the menopause, and protections against dismissal will be strengthened for pregnant women and new mothers. 

The bill follows a series of roundtables with businesses, trade unions and other stakeholders.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of the Co-op, said: “We support the government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers and value the co-operative approach to involve employers in the reforms. As the UK’s largest consumer co-operative, Co-op has long supported colleagues to have good working lives, with policies like our leading bereavement leave, day one right to request flexible working arrangements, and menopause support already in place. The positive impact of these policies is clear to see.

“Being able to support colleagues when they need it, and in particular women, parents and carers, helps retain valuable talent and makes good business sense. We look forward to continuing to work with government to make work pay and to deliver economic growth.”

Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, said: “After 14 years of stagnating living standards, working people desperately need secure jobs they can build a decent life on.

“Whether it’s tackling the scourge of zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire, improving access to sick pay and parental leave, or clamping down on exploitation – this bill highlights the government’s commitment to upgrade rights and protections for millions.  

“Driving up employment standards is good for workers, good for business and good for growth. While there is still detail to be worked through, it is time to write a positive new chapter for working people in this country.”

Employment law is devolved in Northern Ireland, where a separate Employment Rights Bill was recently out for consultation.