Employment bill

That this House expresses its disappointment that the Government has not introduced an Employment Bill in the 2022 Queen’s Speech; notes that an Employment Bill was announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech but is yet to reach the statute books; deplores the Government’s missed opportunity to bring forth policies on flexible working by default, carer’s leave, paid leave for neonatal care, paid miscarriage leave, leave for menopause and fertility treatments, prevention of workplace sexual harassment, the right to keep gratuities in full, and to extend redundancy protections to prevent maternity and pregnancy discrimination; condemns the Government’s tacit acceptance of rogue employers who abuse outdated employment regulations; recalls the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's remarks in 2021 that an Employment Bill would be brought forward when the time is right; suggests the Government must act immediately to counter insecure work and exploitative practices such as fire and rehire and zero-hours contracts; recognises the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis has intensified the need for updated workplace protections; and urges the Government to make parliamentary time to bring forward an Employment Bill in order to keep its promises to protect and enhance workers’ rights.