Monthly Archives: May 2015

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With the General Election just around the corner, are you ready to cast your vote? Are you voting for your personal political values this year, or are you voting to support your business? Before you slip that note in the ballot box, it’s worth considering which of the parties are going to have an impact on employment law this year, and if you want this affecting your company. Let’s take a look at the main parties and see who is pro-business, and who is putting up barriers to companies, which could cost you money.

The Conservative Party

After the General Election – if they assume power – The Conservatives have pledged to increase the minimum wage from £6.50 to £8 per hour, within the space of ten years. In terms of zero-hours contracts, exclusivity clauses will be abolished. Furthermore, companies with more than 250 employees will have to publish the disparity in wages between male and female workers.

Striking will now come with restrictions. Employees will only be able to strike lawfully, when half of their eligible workforce agrees to it, and employers will be able to hire agency workers freely, to cover the deficit left behind when their employees are striking.

The Conservative Party have also pledged to hold an EU referendum, and they will attempt to gain a more favourable and independent position for the UK, or will withdraw altogether. This could cause a huge change in employment law, but it’s not clear how far-reaching this will be.

The Labour Party

The Labour Party also pledges to increase the minimum wage to £8 per hour, but will take a longer time to do so (2019). Labour will also push for the Living Wage, and companies will have to publish if they are meeting this target for their employees (almost £8 per hour, or just over £9 for Londoners).

Labour will also choose to add restrictions to zero hour contracts. Anyone who is regularly employed, through this scheme, for more than 12 weeks, will be offered a standard contract. Labour will attempt to curb wage restrictions on employees, for businesses using agencies to undercut their workers.

Employment Tribunal fees will be abolished under Labour, or this may just be replaced by a new system – this is unclear. It’ll certainly be worth contacting an employment solicitor, such as Barlow Robbins, after a new government is elected, to see where this leaves you.

In 2008, Labour introduced a scheme to get greater numbers of apprenticeships to help businesses and develop the skills of young people. On reflection, this success illustrates their commitment to the employment market – but will this be enough to convince people that their future policies will be effective?

The Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems are supporting flexible working, and are big enablers of paternal leave – this will become a right, as soon as they join a company. Shared parental leave will also be encouraged.

The Lib Dems are with the Conservatives, when it comes to publishing unequal pay between the sexes. They also want to publish any business who isn’t paying the Living Wage, as well as displaying top and median pay, to highlight inequality. In terms of zero hour contracts, workers will be given the right to request a regular hour contract, and this will become mandatory after a certain point.

So, who are you voting for this year? Perhaps you’re choosing a party that isn’t on this list. Let us know in the comments.