Legal Guides

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The Good Work Plan – what it means for your business

In April 2020, employers will have to adhere to new employment laws proposed in the government’s Good Work Plan. However, the majority of UK businesses are completely unaware that these laws are due to come into effect.

A survey by Citation, conducted via OnePoll, found that 59% of British employers do not even know about the Good Work Plan, which proposes a variety of law changes that will come into effect next spring.

Of the decision-makers at British businesses who had heard of the Good Work Plan, 42% of them only partly understood how it would affect them whilst 11% had heard of it but did not know how it would change their legal obligations.

The Good Work Plan proposes a number of employment law changes, including:

  • Giving flexible workers the right to ask for a stable contract
  • Extending the time required to break a period of continuous service
  • Banning employers from making deductions from staff tips

If employers remain unaware in the run-up to 6 April 2020, businesses could find themselves facing fines of up to £20,000 from employment tribunals, as the government will be legislating to make this the maximum penalty for “aggravated breaches”.

What is the Good Work Plan?

The Good Work Plan proposes a number of employment law changes. Citation has published a white paper simplifying the key takeaways of the Good Work Plan, which can be downloaded here.

Article contributed by Head of Employment Law at Citation

DISCLAIMER: This article should not be regarded as constituting legal advice in relation to particular circumstances. It is merely a general comment on the relevant topic. If specific advice is required in connection with any of the matters covered above, please speak to Citation directly

Published on 6th November 2019
(Last updated 7th May 2021)