Employment Rights Bill - Parliamentary ping pong intensifies

The ongoing back-and-forth between the House of Lords and the House of Commons over the Employment Rights Bill shows no signs of slowing. Yesterday afternoon, the Lords debated several key provisions. The following key areas of disagreement have been sent back to the Commons for further consideration:

• Unfair dismissal rights
  The Lords remain firm on their stance that employees should have six-months’ service,  before being able to claim ordinary unfair dismissal, rejecting the Government’s proposal for day-one rights.
• Guaranteed hours
  There are two major points of contention:
  1. The Lords advocate for a scheme allowing workers to opt out of receiving guaranteed hours offers.
  2. They also insist that any regulations on guaranteed hours must take into account the characteristics and requirements of seasonal work.
• Industrial action
  The Lords continue to oppose the removal of the 50% turnout requirement for ballots on industrial action.

Impact on Government timetable

With these amendments returning to the Commons, it appears increasingly unlikely that the Government will meet the timelines set out in its roadmap for implementing the Bill.