A leading retail association has released a statement urging members of the House of Lords to “stand firm” on the Employment Rights Bill, as it enters the next stage of parliamentary consideration.
The new Employment Rights Bill includes changes to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, sick pay and employee protections for whistleblowing and sexual harassment.
It is expected to come into effect at the end of this year.
The landmark legislation seeks to end unfair employment practices and make work more secure.
The Employment Rights Bill will ban exploitative zero-hours contract and provide a right to a regular hours contract, and make Statutory Sick Pay available from day one of absence and to all workers, regardless of income.
Day-one access to employment rights, including challenging an unfair dismissal, will be granted while the bill requires employers to protect staff from customer harassment.
Responding to the bill returning to the House of Lords for the next stage of parliamentary consideration, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, “The House of Lords should stand firm on their proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Bill.
"Peers see just how risky the consequences of this Bill could be, and their proposed amendments will help protect employees as well as crucial employment opportunities, all over the country.
“The Keep Britain Working review revealed the sheer scale of economic inactivity. Retail, as the largest private sector employer, will be instrumental in taking forward the review’s recommendations.
"But if the Employment Rights Bill passes without amendments, it will hinder rather than help retailers play their part in offering local, flexible and part time jobs at scale.
“Retailers support the Employment Rights Bill’s goal of cracking down on unscrupulous employers who do not treat their employees fairly, but this must not come at the price of penalising responsible businesses.
"With unemployment now at five per cent, this Bill could mean it will be communities across the UK who will end up paying the price when fewer job opportunities are available.”