Human Rights Working Group | Session 1: FWA, ERA & Worker Approaches
The BRC Human Rights Working Group is re-starting in July 2026. Find out more information below, including how to register.
The BRC Human Rights Working Group (HR WG) is re-starting in July 2026.
About the Human Rights Working Group
Purpose
The HR WG is a pre-competitive, Chatham House forum for human rights and ethical trade leads across various retail sub-sectors to:
- Hear UK policy and regulatory updates from BRC and/or officials
- Discuss views, questions and challenges regarding incoming regulation or policy developments across the UK and EU, and where appropriate, feed in views to inform BRC positions and conversations with Government
- Hear from industry experts on key issues and topics, and share best practice, approaches and learnings with cross-sub-sector retail peers
Format
x3 online meetings per year, beginning July 2026
The session will feature:
Evaluation of the current policy, enforcement and industry landscape
Assess the evolving labour market landscape for UK workers and wider industry approaches to worker voice and engagement
Update from the Fair Work Agency (FWA)
Regarding changes to the enforcement landscape for serious labour exploitation and modern slavery across the UK market
Overview of the UK Employment Rights Act (ERA)
Diving into the evolving context for worker rights and representation as the ERA is implemented by industry and Government, looking at changes to union access
In-depth exploration into industry best practice
Regarding approaches to worker voice and engagement – Freedom of Association (FOA) and Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement (MSE)
Agenda
09:30 | Introduction to the HR WG - Lou Sherry, Sustainability Policy Executive, BRC
09:40 | Fair Work Agency (FWA) Update & Member Discussion: UK enforcement landscape - Ben Bruten, Head of Operational Policy, Innovation, Culture, Future Transition and Internal Communications, FWA; Former Head of the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) inspectorate
10:10 | UK Employment Rights Act Update: Changes to union access - Ben George, Business & Regulation Policy Executive, BRC
10:20 | ETI Presentation & Member Discussion: Freedom of Association & Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement - Danny Miles, Head of Collective Action, ETI
10:55 | Next Steps & Close
Email Lou to register
Lou Sherry
Policy Executive - Sustainability | BRC
Lou leads on environmental and ethical sourcing policy and the BRC's Plan for Nature programme.
louise.sherry@brc.org.ukJoin Communities for invites to events like this
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