Employment rights bill: The changes you should know

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Workers could see sweeping changes to their rights at work under Labour’s forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which was recently unveiled. 

Proposals include giving workers protection from unfair dismissal from day one, greater access to flexible working, sick pay from the first day of illness and a shake-up to zero hours contract rules. 

Here, Telegraph Money sets out what Labour has planned, and your current rights at work.

What does the Employment Rights Act do?

British workers are currently protected by the Employment Rights Act 1996, legislation which sets out your right to receive the national minimum wage, the right to written terms to outline your working rights and responsibilities, as well as a minimum number of paid holidays and protection against unlawful discrimination.

Workers receive additional rights, but often only after a set period of time or on the proviso that they pass their probation. 

Labour says its Employment Rights Bill will expand on this, in a bid to end unfair employment practices and help deliver economic growth. 

However, some of the plans have been criticised by business leaders, who say bosses will be put off hiring new staff. What’s more, workers will have to wait up to two years for the changes to come into force.

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