The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions Act) 2023 is a landmark legislation aimed at enhancing job security and work-life balance for employees. The Act mandates employers to provide clearer and more predictable terms and conditions of employment, thereby reducing uncertainty and fostering a more stable working environment.

Key Provisions

1. Advance Notice of Work Schedules: Employers are required to give employees a minimum of two weeks' notice regarding their work schedules. This measure allows employees to better manage their personal and professional commitments.
   
2. Compensation for Schedule Changes: If employers alter a worker’s schedule with less than the mandated notice period, they must provide additional compensation. This provision seeks to disincentivise last-minute changes and compensate workers for any inconvenience caused.
   
3. Right to Request Flexible Working Arrangements: Employees now have the right to request changes to their working hours, patterns, or locations. Employers must consider these requests and can only refuse them on reasonable business grounds.
   
4. Enhanced Transparency: Employers must furnish detailed written statements of employment particulars to new hires within the first week of employment. This statement includes job description, working hours, pay, and other key terms.
   
5. Protections for Part Time and Temporary Workers: The Act extends several protections to part-timeand temporary workers, ensuring they receive similar terms and conditions to their full-timecounterparts when performing comparable duties.
   
6. Limitations on On-Call Scheduling: The Act restricts the use of on-call scheduling practices, which often leave workers uncertain about their hours and income.

Implications for Employers

Employers must adjust their HR policies to comply with the new requirements. This involves updating employment contracts, improving communication channels for schedule changes, and considering employee requests for flexible work arrangements more seriously. Non-compliance could result in legal challenges and financial penalties.

Benefits for Employees

For workers, this Act promises greater job stability and the ability to plan their lives with more certainty. It aims to create a fairer workplace where employees are better informed about their terms of employment and can expect a more consistent and predictable working environment.

Conclusion

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 represents a significant shift towards more employee-centric labour laws. By prioritising predictability and transparency, it seeks to balance the needs of employers with the rights of workers, creating a more equitable and stable job market.

For additional information or support, please do not hesitate to contact us at HR@skaltd.co.uk or call 01427 420 404 and #oneoftheteam will be happy to help.