OVER seven million workers will gain new rights to claim sick pay, maternity pay, and protection against unfair dismissal from their first day at work under Labour’s proposed Employment Rights Bill.

The bill, set to be announced on Thursday, marks a significant change in workers’ rights, offering greater security and protections, The Times reported.

Key changes include universal entitlement to sick pay from the first day of illness. Currently, workers must wait until the fourth day of illness to qualify, and those earning below £123 a week are ineligible.

Under the new plan, 7.4 million workers who rely on sick pay, and a further one million who earn below the threshold, will benefit. However, businesses have secured a concession to set a lower sick pay rate for those earning below the threshold, a move likely to anger unions, the newspaper reported.

Additionally, women will be entitled to maternity pay from their first day of employment, rather than after six months, with improved protections against dismissal after returning to work.

Fathers will also receive more rights for paternity pay. Probation periods will be shortened from two years to six months, with workers gaining protection from unfair dismissal from their first day Read More….