Focus on: UK Government’s Make Work Pay plan

The UK Government intends to bring in significant changes to employment law through its plan to ‘Make Work Pay’. The centre piece of this will be their Employment Rights Bill, introduced into parliament on 10 October 2024.

The government’s plan includes a right to claim unfair dismissal from day one of employment, earlier access to certain parental rights, the removal of the waiting period for statutory sick pay and what’s being termed ‘the right to disconnect’ among a range of other measures.

As further detail and draft legislation emerges, we will keep you informed and up to speed with the latest government announcements on its Make Work Pay plan.

Explore our resources today.

Employment Rights Bill published

On Thursday 10 October the Employment Rights Bill was published. You can see our response to the Bill on our news pages. To support with your understanding of the Bill, the UK Government has published explanatory notes which explain what each part of the Bill will mean in practice; provide background information on the development of policy; and provide additional information on how the Bill will affect existing legislation in this area.

HR People Pod - listen now

HR People Pod, the CIPD's fortnightly podcast, brings together top HRDs, CPOs and business leaders to look behind the news headlines and current topics and their impact in HR and business practice.

Listen to the latest episode on the Employment Rights Bill, where the panel discusses what this means for employers and people professionals. They also examine the potential impact of the provisions, such as removing the two-year qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal, probation period changes, ending ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts and the role of a new, single enforcement body, the Fair Work Agency.

Listen to the latest episode

Peter Cheese discusses UK Government plans to scrap the unfair dismissal qualifying period

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UK employment law resources

Practical resources in line with current employment law to help you keep up with recent and pending legislation.

All our UK employment law resources are exclusive member-only content.

Tracking potential changes under government's Plan to Make Work Pay

Find out what may change and how you can prepare.

Read through proposed changes

Timetable of employment law changes in the UK

Keep up to date with the latest employment law developments and proposed future changes.

Explore the timetable

Tracking law changes

Find out what will change under new legislation like the Employment Rights Bill and how you can prepare.

Explore the member exclusive tracker

Further essential resources

All the resources you need to understand and stay up-to-date with the government's changes to employment law and other issues that will affect the people profession.

Discover our thought leadership insight into equal pay

Charles Cotton, CIPD senior adviser on pay and reward, explains the recent cases on equal pay claims and explores how you can protect yourself as an employer while also paying people fairly.

Understanding equal pay

Insight on the Employment Rights Bill

Hear from Ben Willmott, our Head of Public Policy, discussing the Employment Rights Bill and its range of measures.

Watch the video

Championing the people profession’s role in government plans to Make Work Pay

The CIPD is working with members to ensure proposed changes to employment law deliver the intended outcomes for people and business

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A guide on how to tackle sexual harassment

Practical advice for managers on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace.

Read the people manager guide

Policy team wrap-up from the Labour Party Conference

Catch up on all the important details from the Labour Party Conference on our CIPD LinkedIn channel.

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Peter Cheese live at the Labour Party Conference

Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD, shares insights on his experience at the event and the key topics that matter most to the people profession.

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UK employment law round-up: September 2024

Read through the monthly round-up of changes in employment law in the UK.

Read the round-up

How the CIPD is working with the new government on issues that affect employers

Hear what Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD, has to say about the proposed changes to employment law under the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay.

Watch the video update

CIPD Chief Executive meets with ministers to kickstart Plan to Make Work Pay

Peter Cheese attended a meeting with government ministers on Wednesday 14 August to discuss the proposed law changes.

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Labour’s plan for day-one rights – getting the balance right

CIPD's Ben Willmott, head of public policy, and Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser for employee relations, discuss the new Labour government's plans.

Read the People Management article

Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay: a new era for employment

The CIPD's Rachel Suff and Claire McCartney discuss some of the proposed changes to employment law under the new Labour government.

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In case you missed it: September news round-up

Your monthly round-up of the latest evidence and insights to keep your people practices relevant and up to date, including workplace conflict and employment law updates.

Read the news round-up

Proposed changes to unfair dismissal rules risk more insecure work

Meaningful consultation is needed to ensure the Employment Rights Bill delivers intended outcomes, as proposed changes could risk more insecure work if rushed through, says Ben Willmott, CIPD Head of Public Policy.

Read the analysis