Responding to the publication of Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said:
“Retailers recognise the importance of supportive workplaces. Many invest in programmes supporting employees with ill-health or disabilities and agree with the review findings that structural issues hold back companies from doing more or activity being more effective. They are keen go further and a number of retailers are already signed up to engage with the next stages of the review.
“Retail is built on flexible, local jobs. Half the three million people employed in retail work part-time. Such roles help people enter, stay in, or return to work after a period of absence as they can choose to work as much or as little as they are able. This uniquely positions the industry as a critical contributor to reducing economic inactivity from ill-health and disability.
“But Government goals and policies are at odds with one another. While encouraging employers to invest in workforce health and provide flexibility, they risk making it more difficult. In its current form, the Employment Rights Bill would make it harder for retailers to continue offering as many crucial flexible roles.
“By amending parts of the Bill, working with business and unions to join the dots between policies to ensure they align rather than conflict, Government will enable the industry to play an even fuller part in Keeping Britain Working.”
