Manchester, UK
The pledges are in! This week, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives unveiled their manifestos ahead of the General Election, giving us a comprehensive view of where all three main parties stand on employment law and workplace reform. As the nation awaits the outcome on July 4th, one thing is clear: businesses must brace for substantial adjustments to their HR policies and processes.
Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, notes, “It’s evident from the influx of questions we’ve been receiving that employers are concerned about the impact of the Election on HR policies and processes in their businesses. With potential changes to the National Minimum Wage, statutory sick pay (SSP), parental leave, and flexible working rights, business owners should be sitting down now to review their game plan for HR– not just factoring in how policies might change, but also which digital tools they might need to navigate impending changes.”
Key HR Areas for Businesses to Review
Employee contracts: Keeping on top of employee contracts will be vital in the weeks and months to come. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats plan to strengthen employment rights for the ‘gig economy’ by changing how workers are classified and the rights they are entitled to. If Labour win, this will include giving all ‘zero-hours’ workers who work regular hours for 12 weeks or more the right to a regular contract. Comprehensive HR solutions like BrightHR can help businesses navigate these changes with expertly written contract templates and up-to-date legal guidance on everything contracts must include.
Payroll: With all parties planning to increase the National Living Wage, and proposals from Labour and the Liberal Democrats to extend Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to all workers, meticulous payroll management will be essential to avoid costly penalties and comply with the latest pay legislation. By investing in an integrated payroll software, businesses can automatically adjust for changes in wage regulations and ensure accurate, compliant payroll runs. By popular demand, BrightHR is set to launch an end-to-end payroll solution with full management support. Businesses can pre-register now to futureproof their payroll processes.
Leave policies: Labour and the Liberal Democrats promise to grant parental leave as a day-one right, with Labour also planning to introduce bereavement leave for all workers. In anticipation of these shifts, businesses should consider using leave policy templates and digital leave management systems. BrightHR’s absence and leave management software, with customisable settings, automated tracking, and end-to-end support, stands ready to ensure that all employees receive their entitled leave, no matter which party wins.
Flexible working policies: Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have pledged to enhance flexible working rights. Labour promise to make flexible working a default right from day one, while the Liberal Democrats plan to give disabled workers the right to work from home unless there is a clear business case not to. These changes will require businesses to reassess and possibly expand their current flexible working arrangements, as well as look into digital tools for managing a remote workforce. With advanced scheduling tools and digital time-tracking app Blip, BrightHR can help businesses efficiently manage flexible working requests and maintain productivity.
Price emphasises, “With an array of employment law changes looming, employers must be proactive in reviewing their HR policies and exploring software solutions to help them navigate an evolving legal landscape effectively. BrightHR stands poised to support businesses every step of the way. Our digital HR solutions are designed to simplify HR management, helping business owners stay compliant and ahead of the curve.”
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