More than three quarters of the public want fire and rehire to be
made illegal, exclusive polling shows.
The poll, conducted by Survation on behalf of GMB shows that 76%
of those questioned said the practice of fire and rehire should
be against the law – including 71% of Conservative voters.
Figures from the poll of more than 1,000 adults also show that
67% would be less likely to buy goods or services from a company
which used hire and refire.
Hundreds of British Gas engineers were sacked after refusing to
sign up to a 15% cut in pay rates and other imposed changes on
their terms and conditions.
British Gas parent company Centrica pledged to never use the
tactic again, while during the dispute fire and rehire was
condemned by politicians of all stripes.
Almost one in ten workers have been threatened with dismissal and
re-engagement on inferior contracts during the pandemic,
according to separate polling for the TUC. [1]
GMB is now calling for the much-delayed Employment Bill to be
announced in the Queens Speech and the legislation to include
making the practice of fire and rehire to be made illegal, and
Minsters to finally publish the outcomes of a review commissioned
from Acas on the extent of the tactic's use during the pandemic.
[2]
Warren Kenny, GMB Acting General Secretary said:
“Fire and rehire is a dirty, bullying tactic used by unscrupulous
bosses.
“It has no place in the modern world of work – and the public
know it.
“British Gas blamed dodgy legal advice and promised to never to
use it again. That’s too late for the 100s of loyal engineers
they sacked.
“Meanwhile, we’ve been waiting since the Government got elected
in 2019 for Ministers to bring forward their promised Employment
Bill which they said would make the UK the best place in the
world to work.
“While fire and rehire is legal in the UK and banned elsewhere
this remains a broken promise.
“At the moment they won't even publish the review of fire and
rehire that they commissioned – what have they got to hide?
“Enough is enough, GMB calls on the Government to make fire and
rehire illegal and end this cruel, outdated practice for good.
They can make a start by announcing it on Tuesday.”
, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights,
said:
“The Government has neglected workers by failing to outlaw fire
and rehire tactics even after they have become widespread.
“There is an urgent need for a new deal for working people that
must include banning this damaging and immoral practice.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
[1] TUC, “Fire and rehire” tactics have become widespread during
pandemic – warns TUC, 25 January 2021 https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/fire-and-rehire-tactics-have-become-widespread-during-pandemic-warns-tuc
[2] BEIS Ministers commissioned Acas to investigate the use of
fire and rehire. The review was submitted to Ministers on 17
February 2021 but its findings have not been published. Written
Answer to Parliamentary Question 183120, on Re-employment,
published 22 April 2021 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-04-19/183120
