Employment Relations Bill announced in Queen's speech
During the State Opening of Parliament on 26th November the Queen confirmed that "Legislation will be introduced to implement the conclusions of the government's review of the Employment Relations Act 1999".
To that end, the Bill will "strengthen the self-regulation of trade unions, clarify the rights of their members and improve some individual employment rights".
According to the Government, the Bill will amend the 1999 Act to improve the operation of the trade union recognition procedure; take powers to introduce regulations on information and consultation at work; change the regulation of trades unions and their members; strengthen protections against dismissal for workers on lawful strike action; streamline and modernise trade union election processes; and clarify the right to be accompanied to a disciplinary or grievance hearing by better defining the role of the person who is accompanying a worker.
Wholly new provisions will be the introduction of protection from unfair dismissal for people seeking flexible working after six months of employment; a streamlining of the national minimum wage enforcement regime. The Employment Relations Bill will enact the TUC/CBI framework agreement on the EU Information and Consultation Directive and promote a "no surprises culture" at work. Employees would have the chance to be informed and consulted on management decisions affecting their future.
The draft Bill was published on 2nd December and can be viewed by clicking here.
