Show Notes
How can the experience of prior legislation help get the best out of Labour's new Employment Rights Bill? And will the Care Sector be the new flag-bearer for improved terms and conditions? Carolyn Jones, Senior Vice President of the Institute of Employment Rights, leads a detailed discussion on Labour's new Employment Rights Bill. Joined by IER Vice President Professor Lydia Hayes and Executive Committee member Sarah Veale, the panel examines past legislative experiences, challenges in drafting effective employment laws, and the need for precise legal wording. Special focus is given to the radical shift towards sectoral collective bargaining in adult social care. Emphasis is given to the importance of union involvement, addressing systemic issues like unequal pay and the pitfalls of zero-hour contracts. Despite challenges, new legislative consultations provide hope for fairer employment practices. The show closes with a call to reinforce workers' power through unions, balancing collective and individual rights.
About The Institute of Employment Rights The IER aims to develop modern employment laws and offers publications, briefings, and conference papers. Supporters can subscribe and receive newsletters at www.ier.org.uk.
Episode Chapters: 00:00 Getting The Bill Right: Lessons From Legislation Past 00:47 Introduction 04:31 Why Legal Language Matters 05:42 Balancing The Long View 06:32 Anticipating Problems With The New Bill 07:59 Rights For Part-Time Workers 09:58 How Employers Are Responding 12:04 Looking Forward: The Care Work Sector 14:46 Collective Bargaining In Adult Social Care 16:18 A New Voice For Care Workers? 20:03 Care work: A Marginalised Bellwether 23:50 Balancing Individual Vs Collective Rights 29:45 Conclusion
Credits: The IER podcast is sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors. For Thompsons resources and advice on Trade Union law visit thompsonstradeunion.law. This podcast is produced for IER by Creative Kin. To find out more, visit creativekin.co.uk. Recorded at Creative Kin's London studios. Studio Producer and Editor: Jason Caffrey Theme Music: Daniel Jorgensen
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