HOW WILL WORKERS’ RIGHTS BE AFFECTED BY BREXIT?

Women could be most affected by changes to workers rights Post-Brexit as they make up the majority of part-time employees. Here’s an overview of what current protections may be amended or scrapped rexit has put many employment laws in jeopardy, with vulnerable areas specifically affecting women with income, childcare and parental leave all areas likely to be affected.

So, which women are we specifically talking about? A struggling economy and a change in the laws that protected much of our working lives post-Brexit adds to the potential struggles that are typically affected by austerity. Some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our society are likely to be hurt the most.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University reported that the Government’s 2023 plans will risk UK employee’s rights for 8.6 million people.

Those most in jeopardy are those whose contracts are part-time, fixed-term, or agency workers. That’s if the Government really does move forward with its post-Brexit plans to change or get rid of thousands of pieces of retained EU Law by the end of the year.

If you are a part-time, fixed-term or agency worker and are concerned about changes to UK workers’ rights, free and impartial advice is available at visit acas.org.uk.

PART-TIME WORKERS

There are 8.2 million part-time workers who are at risk, and 72% of those in the UK are women (Lancaster University). If the retained EU law bill is rushed, as Lancaster University predicts, it could mean that parttime workers are treated unequally to their colleagues and receive different treatment around annual leave, pensions and training.

WORKERS ON FIXED-TERM CONTRACTS

Of those on fixed-term contracts in the UK, 56% are women. The EU’s Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 currently protects these workers. Without this legislation, pay and pensions for could see significant negative effects.

Agency Workers

The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 could be lost by the end of 2023. This legislation ensures workers have equal basic working and employment conditions as those employed directly by a company.