Latest measures to advance the 'Good work plan' will protect millions of vulnerable workers!

Business Secretary Greg Clark has announced today that new measures will be put in place as part of the Good Work Plan to enforce greater protection for millions of vulnerable workers.

Vulnerable workers are defined as those who are at risk of having their workplace entitlements denied, or who lack the capacity or means to secure them.

The new measures are detailed in a consultation document, “Good Work Plan:  establishing a new Single Enforcement Body for employment rights”, which is open until 6 October 2019.  The consultation debates the role of the new body, which will have Matthew Taylor as its Interim Director, including the following aspects;

• Defining the role of the Single Enforcement Body which would;
  • Be a help centre for individuals regarding;
    • SSP rights
    • Employment Tribunal awards
    • Discrimination and harassment in the workplace
    • Health and safety
    • Agency worker rights
    • Holiday pay rights
  • Support businesses in complying with the rules;
  • Regulate umbrella companies;
  • Tackle non-compliance in all aspects of labour supply; and
  • Work with other enforcement partners including immigration, DWP and The Pensions Regulator

Aspire Comment

The introduction of the Single Enforcement Body will provide a one-stop shop to enforce the protection of workers’ rights. 

Whilst Government considers that this will be an enhancement on the current situation where different rights are regulated by a number of different bodies, one note of warning is that, historically, the larger the entity or department, the more that it struggles to work efficiently and, with so many factors supposedly coming under one roof, this seems to be a significant risk.

It will be important that interested parties have their say.  You can access the consultation here.