Tory workplace charter

Keeping workers’ rights guaranteed by EU law

As the Prime Minister has set out in our Article 50 Letter to Brussels: ‘We will ensure that workers’ rights are fully protected and maintained. Indeed, under my leadership, not only will the Government protect the rights of workers, we will build on them.’

Minimum wage increase

National Living Wage will rise in line with median incomes for the whole of the next Parliament.

Rights for workers in the ‘gig’ economy

Following a review of employment practices, new rights for employees of firms such as Uber and Deliveroo could include holiday and sick pay.

Workers on firms’ boards

Listed companies will be told to create worker advisory panels and designate an existing non-executive director as the employee representative or directly appoint a worker representative to the board.

The right to quiz bosses

Employees will get similar rights as shareholders to find about their company’s future, including ability to request key information about takeovers and asset disposals.

Leave for training

Statutory right to request time off to go on courses that improve skills. Companies would be obliged to consider applications, but would not be obliged to pay for training or lost wages and would not be forced to accept the request.

One-year care sabbaticals

Workers will be allowed to take between 13 and 5 weeks’ unpaid leave to look after a relative full-time while retaining their rights to return to their job.

Protecting pension pots from rogue bosses

New powers will be given to The Pensions Regulator to inspect takeover bids to check the potential impact on the sustainability of a pension fund.

Action on mental health

The Equalities Act will be updated so that people cannot be discriminated against if they have disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar that can mean they need to take time off.

Child bereavement leave

Parents will be given the legal right to two weeks off if they suffer the tragedy of losing a child. At the moment many companies provide informal leave but it is not statutory.

‘Returnships’ for staff coming back to work

Companies and public sector organisations will be encouraged to offer work experience schemes to help older people rejoin the labour market after taking breaks for parenthood or to care for elderly relatives.