Kate Brooks

Partner, Solicitor & Head of Employment/HR Services

DATE PUBLISHED: 15 May 2017 LAST UPDATED: 01 Nov 2022

“Expansion in workers rights” – what does this mean for your business?

Theresa May’s promise to expand worker’s rights includes increases to the National Minimum Wage and the legal right to one year’s leave for those needing to care for family.

Even though the right to one year’s leave will be unpaid there will inevitably be at a cost to the employer. I would guess that this right would be similar to other rights and mean an accrual of annual leave during the year, and the right not to be treated badly as a result of exercising this right. Also there is a cost to a business of hiring and firing a replacement.

That being said, if you have a loyal employee that needs time off in a desperate situation you are perfectly entitled to grant them such unpaid time off. However, be careful to agree in advance things like what will happen on return and accrual of benefits during that year.

If you have any queries in relation to this article, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01202 057754 or kate.brooks@ellisjones.co.uk.

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