Responding to the Employment Rights Bill returning to the House
of Commons on Wednesday for the next stage of parliamentary
consideration, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British
Retail Consortium, said:
“While we fully support the goal of the Employment Rights Bill to
crack down on unscrupulous employers who do not treat their
employees fairly, it must not penalise responsible businesses.
“The Resolution Foundation has said that some of its proposals,
particularly around Day One Rights, will ‘inhibit hiring.' We
share this view, and are also concerned about Guaranteed Hours,
which would make it harder for retailers to offer local,
flexible, and part-time jobs. The Bill's return to the
Commons is the moment for MPs to avoid such unintended
consequences by supporting the practical amendments tabled
by peers last week. Half of retail's three million colleagues
currently work part-time, and this flexibility allows them
to work as much or as little as they need, balancing their career
around other life commitments. We ignore this at our peril.
“Government must also ensure that any delay to the Bill's
Royal Assent does not result in less consultation or a compressed
implementation Roadmap. It is critical Ministers commit to
quality engagement with high-employment industries so we can
work constructively with Government and other important
stakeholders to ensure the Bill is fit for purpose, protecting
employment opportunities as well as employees.”
-ENDS-
Notes:
