It's Time to End the Political Ping Pong and Pass the Employment Rights Bill
Today, amendments to the Employment Rights Bill proposed by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords must be rejected.
Before becoming an MP, I worked in the NHS and served as a steward for my union, UNISON. After the last Commons debate on the bill, a friend I once worked with—let’s call her Sally—called me with a question that framed the issue clearly:
“If the Employment Rights Bill had been in place two years ago, would I still have my job?”
The answer is “yes.” This is exactly why the amendments from the House of Lords must be defeated today.
Sally's Story: A Test Case for Employment Rights
Sally was a nurse facing physical challenges related to her specialty and chronic health problems, which prevented her from working full-time hours. After negotiating with management, she was granted a special contract as a reasonable adjustment for her disability. This contract let her work on the nurse bank under a zero-hours agreement, guaranteeing flexibility for both her and her employer.
This arrangement lasted for nine years, relying on an established relationship and goodwill, though without any formal guarantees.
Conclusion
The Employment Rights Bill is essential to protect workers like Sally who need flexible yet secure employment arrangements.
Author's summary: The Employment Rights Bill is crucial to safeguard flexible working arrangements for disabled employees, preventing unfair treatment and insecurity in the workforce.