The government has set out the next stages for a number of new Workers’ Rights Acts which it says will give more money and more say back to UK workers.
The changes come on the back of this year’s legal requirement for employers to pas all tips to employees, and include:
- new rights to protect new parents from redundancy
- extra support for carers
- help for all employees work flexibly
- a week’s leave for those with a caring responsibility to care for a dependent
- an increase in the Natrionbal Living Wage to almost £21,000, and
- extending the NLW rules to 21-year-olds.
Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “The shift in recent years towards increased use of flexible working by organisations has allowed more people to better balance their working lives and enabled employers to attract and retain skilled staff.
“Acas has recently consulted on a new draft Code of Practice which outlines good practice around requests for flexible working and explains the forthcoming changes in the law to employers and employees.”
On tipping, Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As we approach Christmas, it’s more vital than ever that we do what we can to support workers and families across the country.
“I’d like to encourage businesses to be as flexible as possible and give their hard-working employees the tips they deserve.
“I want to thank the MPs who brought forward this legislation to support hard working families and shape the UK’s outstanding workers’ rights record.”
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which became law in May this year, requires employers to pass all tips on to workers.
Mr Hollinrake added that Christmas was an incredibly busy season for hospitality workers, and usually a time of year when customers are more generous with their tips. All employees deserved to receive their fair share of tips, so the Government has launched a public consultation on the Tipping Act’s Code of Practice to gain feedback from employers, workers and other stakeholders on the fair and transparent distribution of tips.
