Sick Pay Increase: GCSE Business In The News

Have a go at this teaching activity, which includes a downloadable worksheet and suggested answers.

What's the story?

The UK government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill, aiming to significantly update workers' rights.

The bill proposes several changes, including immediate protection from unfair dismissal, though with a new nine-month probation period. Other key changes involve sick pay, paternity leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, and flexible working requests.

The government positions these reforms as a major improvement to workplace rights, attempting to balance pro-worker and pro-business interests.

While some business groups have welcomed the engagement process, concerns exist about practical implementation, especially for smaller businesses. Critics argue that certain measures have been diluted or postponed.

The bill aims to address issues of job insecurity and worker retention. It's expected to benefit millions of workers, particularly in areas like parental rights and sick pay. However, the details of many provisions, including the new probation period's implications, remain to be clarified.

Some trade unions have expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on job creation and retention. They worry that a brief probation period might discourage companies from hiring new staff or even lead to job cuts.

Sick pay increase