THE FACTS
In the last couple of years, the Government has shown a tendency to back private members’ bills (public bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers) to bring in employment legislation.
Below are the private members’ bills which are progressing fairly quickly through Parliament and which we expect to receive Royal Assent before the summer recess. They are then likely to become law in 2024.
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Name of Bill |
Intention |
Timing |
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Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill
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Introduces a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees, and an uplift to compensation where this duty has been breached. Re-introduces protection from harassment by third parties but at the first offence.
See more detail here. |
The second reading (House of Lords) is scheduled for 24 March 2023. |
|
Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill |
The extension of protection from redundancy for employees returning from family leave to apply from the point that the employee tells their employer that they are pregnant until six months after returning from maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
See more detail here. |
The Bill had its second reading (House of Lords) on 3 March 2023. The date for the Committee stage (House of Lords) is yet to be announced. |
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Giving workers the right to request more predictable work patten.
See more detail here |
The Bill had its second reading (House of Commons) on 3 February 2023 and Committee stage (House of Commons) on 8 March 2023. |
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Amendments to the current right to request flexible working. In particular, this will make the right to request flexible working a day one right.
See more detail here. |
The Bill had its first reading (House of Lords) on 27 February 2023 and second reading (House of Lords) date is yet to be announced. |
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Gives employees who are carers the right to take one week’s unpaid leave.
See more detail here. |
The Bill had its second reading (House of Lords) on 3 March 2023 and Committee stage (House of Lords) date is yet to be announced. |
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This places obligations on employers to deal with tips, gratuities and service charges |
The Bill had its second reading (House of Lords) on 3 March 2023 and Committee stage (House of Lords) date is yet to be announced. |
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This gives the right to paid leave to employees who are caring for a child receiving neonatal care.
See more detail here. |
The Bill had its first reading (House of Lords) on 23 January 2023 and the second reading (House of Lords) date has been scheduled for 24 March 2023. |
