Responding to the latest update on the Trade Union Right of Access Consultation, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said:
“Many retailers have constructive relationships with unions but allowing weekly access to multi-site workplaces would be disruptive to service for customers, with no clear benefit to employees. While it is good news government has acknowledged that its timeframes for responding to trade union access requests were unworkable, weekly access is unnecessary, excessive, and disruptive.
“Retail is the UK's biggest private sector employer, so we are concerned that government is rushing through the accompanying Code of Practice, which defines how this will work in practice. It is critical government engages with the very businesses who will have to implement these reforms before rushing headlong into an inflexible and inappropriate approach.
“These changes come amid significant cost pressures, compounded by the conflict in the Middle East, adding further strain on businesses' ability to keep prices affordable. It is vital government, business, and unions work collaboratively to get the remaining elements of the Act right, crucially including Guaranteed Hours*, so we can genuinely strengthen protections and support jobs.
“If handled poorly, and there is a real risk of reducing job opportunities and limiting the flexible roles that millions of people rely on.”
Notes:
*The Employment Rights Act introduces a right for workers on zero-hours and low-hours contracts to request guaranteed working hours.
- The BRC argues the greatest risk of abuse lies with very low-hours contracts, rather than the wide range of flexible roles relied on by parents, carers, students and people with health conditions.
- Targeting guaranteed hours protections at contracts of eight hours a week or fewer, alongside a reference period of at least 26 weeks - ideally a full year - would better reflect seasonal working patterns and ensure reforms address genuine problems without undermining flexible jobs that work well for both employees and employers.
