The government published an implementation roadmap of the Employment Rights Bill on 1 July. It describes the plans for preparations for implementing the full effects of the legislation once passed and includes timelines on further phased consultation, guidance and support.

Whilst still in draft form and subject to amendments before final publication after receiving Royal Assent, the measures currently contained in the bill include, amongst others:

• addressing one-sided flexibility, ensuring that jobs provide a baseline of security for workers – such as ending zero-hour contracts, removing the two-year qualifying period requirement for the right to claim unfair dismissal and strengthening collective redundancy rights
• ensuring workers get fair pay for a fair day’s work by, for example, strengthening statutory sick pay
• supporting family friendly rights by improving flexibility and security including ‘day 1’ availability of paternity and unpaid parental leave, right to unpaid bereavement leave, ‘day 1’ right to request flexible working
• prioritising fairness, equality and wellbeing of workers, such as strengthening duties on employers to prevent sexual and other forms of harassment.

Stay up to date with your employment obligations by downloading and using ACCA’s suite of employment factsheets, which are being regularly updated as changes are announced and implemented.