In its election manifesto, the UK's Labour Party committed to introducing a 'new deal for working people' within its first 100 days in power. At the Labour party conference last week (25 September), business secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced that the legislation would come into force this month.
Referring to survey findings published on Friday (4 October), Paul Nowak, general secretary of TUC, told HR magazine: “Our polling shows that most employers think the government’s policies will be good for their workforces, good for their businesses and good for the wider economy.
“This is true across the research, with managers at small, medium-sized and large companies all overwhelmingly in favour of the agenda."
Read more: Labour Party conference: What HR needs to know
More than two thirds (66%) of managers and senior decision-makers reported that the introduction of day-one unfair dismissal claims and parental leave rights would have a positive impact on their business. The same proportion thought that giving all workers access to sick pay would be good for their organisation.
Although 10% of managers indicated that the ban on zero-hours contracts would have a negative impact on their business, 64% of managers thought it would benefit them. Meanwhile, managers reported that raising the minimum wage (70%) and making trade union recognition easier (56%) would have a positive impact.
Sheila Flavell, COO of technology consultancy the FDM Group, welcomed the changes.
Speaking to HR magazine, she said: “The upcoming changes are a welcome move for employees and employers alike, providing greater protections and facilitating better long-term relationships between businesses and staff.”
Read more: Labour's manifesto: What HR needs to know
She continued: “Improving protections through day-one rights, access to sick pay, bans on zero-hour contracts and improving minimum wage gives staff greater security in their roles and allows them to focus on personal growth and the job at hand. This enables them to develop their skills and pick up extra training as part of their career progression, maximising development without looming uncertainty.
“This in turn also benefits businesses, which can create greater workforce stability and help staff to maximise their productivity. The additional support also helps employers improve company culture, allowing them to emphasise longer-term policies designed to boost retention and staff satisfaction.”
Nowak added: “This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Most employers can see the productivity gains from having healthier, happier and more engaged staff. Driving up employment standards is in everyone’s interests.”
TUC and IPPR commissioned Opinium to survey 1,000 middle managers and senior decision-makers with 10 or more employees between 6 and 21 August 2024.
