New on the Coalition Timeline
Trade Union Freedoms
- Boris threatens firefighter lockout (24/7/2014)
Health and Safety
- ONS figures show extent of health inequalities (22/7/2014)
- HSE finds over 50% of building sites putting workers at risk (24/7/2014)
- Cuts to rail funding is putting workers and passengers at risk (25/7/2014)
Pay and Benefits
- Minimum Wage Regulations to be consolidated (25/7/2014)
The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill passes second reading
The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons this week. The bill will ban the exclusivity clauses for zero-hours contracts that prevent employees working for another employer when no hours are guaranteed. A new publication by the IER however, says that the issue of exclusivity clauses is no more than a “red herring”.
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JSA Failures Criticised By Independent Report
The DWP is failing to communicate with those on mandatory back-to-work schemes, resulting in cruel and unfair sanctions. An independent report into Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants forced on back-to-work schemes was published on the 22nd of July. The report, commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and authored by Matthew Oakley, former head of social policy at center-right think tank Policy Exchange, found that the system was incomprehensible to many claimants, with sanctions often imposed on the most vulnerable due to their difficulties with understanding the “complex” and “legalistic” style of correspondence.
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Forthcoming Events
Employment Law Update 2014, Unite the Union, London
Tuesday 7 October 2014
This 10th annual IER conference is designed to ensure trade union representatives are kept up to date and well-informed about developments in employment law. It is a must go to event for anyone with an interest in employment law and the protection of collective and individual workers’ rights.
Employment Law Update 2014, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2014
This 7th annual IER conference in the North West is designed to ensure trade union representatives are kept up to date and well-informed about developments in employment law. It is a must go to event for anyone with an interest in employment law and the protection of collective and individual workers’ rights.
Equality and Discrimination: What Next For Equal Rights? , Unite the Union, London
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Four years after the introduction of the Equality Act and where are we now? Leading equality experts from the law, trade unions and academia will come together to critically assess the latest case law, precedents and evidence and anticipate where they will lead us in terms of ensuring fairness at work for all.
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Help us to celebrate 25 years of the Institute
Donations are coming in daily to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Institute. If you make a donation, don’t forget to send us a supporting statement about why you support the institute. So, whether you’re an individual or a branch, whether it’s £25 or £250, join in and you’ll be included in out monthly draw to win a free place at an IER event!
IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining
Upcoming Publication:
By Zoe Adams and Simon Deakin
ZHCs are highly profitable for employers, but lead to insecurity of income and low pay for workers. The authors point to rigidities in employment law and the operation of the tax-benefit system as being responsible for the rise in zero hours contracting. Due for release in August. Pre-order your copy here
Other Publications
Edited by Bernard Ryan
A collection of papers by the UK’s leading experts on labour migration on the exploitation of migrant workers and the need for labour law reform.
By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC
This publication presents an evidence-based policy proposal for the state encouragement of collective bargaining, and particularly sectoral bargaining, as a tried-and-tested means of reducing income inequality and stimulating the sustainable recovery of a strong and resilient economy.
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