The Grocery Trader: Preparing for Change – How Retailers can Navigate the New Employment Rights Bill

Originally posted in The Grocery Trader September – October issue, page 29. Written by Roger Clements, Chief Growth Officer.

As the government rolls out the Employment Rights Bill, banning exploitative zero-hour contracts and ending practices like “fire and rehire ,” retail sector employers need to prepare for some big changes. This new legislation, which also includes flexible working from day one and sets up the Fair Work Agency to enforce workplace rights, is set to reshape how we manage our workforce.

The planned ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts will probably hit the retail industry the hardest, writes Roger Clements, Chief Growth Officer at Matrix. Retail Businesses often rely on a flexible, on-demand labour pool to handle changing customer demands. But now, there’s a need to introduce more structure and address the rights of individual workers

Right now, zero-hour contracts can be very unpredictable. Shift workers might have their shifts cancelled with little notice and no compensation. While this flexibility benefits employers, it leaves workers vulnerable. The new bill aims to introduce a minimum obligation contract, ensuring a confirmed minimum number of hours for each worker. while this change seeks to protect workers, it raises questions about how businesses will implement these rules while keeping flexibility needed in a dynamic retail environment.

The new Employment Rights Bill introduces significant changes that will require you to rethink your workforce management strategies. By proactively adapting to these changes, you can ensure compliance, protect your employees’ rights, and maintain operational flexibility. Now is the time to review your practices, communicate with your workforce, and make necessary adjustments to thrive in this new regulatory landscape.

Originally posted in The Grocery Trader September – October issue, page 29. Written by Roger Clements, Chief Growth Officer.