The bill was introduced in parliament by the Labour government on 10 October 2024. It aims to enhance employment protections and transform workplace environments.

What does the bill say?

There are radical changes to employment law in the bill. These include:

• Improvements to unfair dismissal pay
• Improvements to statutory sick pay
• Expanding SSP
• Day-one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave
• Flexible working being made the default position where practical
• Large employers being required to make action plans to address gender pay gaps and to support employees through the menopause
• Strengthening protections against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers
• Increasing rights for workers on zero-hours contracts
• Closing “fire and re-hire" loopholes

Find out more about these proposals and what they mean for you in our Employment Rights Bill explainer.

How have we responded?

Although we welcome the improvements this bill would bring, we believe it needs to go further. We’ve been meeting with MPs, government officials and other key stakeholders to try to strengthen this legislation and ensure it benefits nursing staff.

Our influencing work has been centred around three key areas of focus:

• A fair pay agreement in social care
• Restoration of trade union rights
• Improved women’s rights in the workplace

What success have we had so far?

One of the improvements we’ve been calling for is for statutory parental bereavement leave and pay to be made available to people who have experienced pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. Currently, this leave is only available to people whose children die under the age of 18 or are stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

We’re pleased to see that the chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Sarah Owen MP, has now tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill on this issue. We’ll continue to push for this important change while the government decides whether to accept the amendment.

Are you affected by these issues?

Two of the key amendments we’re calling for are an increase to sick pay and stronger workplace protections during and after pregnancy. If you’re experiencing problems in either of these areas, you can access support and guidance via the RCN advice centre.