Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Amend ERA 1996: replace the ‘reasonable responses’ test with objective fairness

Open for signatures 25 signatures

What the petition asks

Amend Section 98(4) of the ERA 1996 to end the 'Range of Reasonable Responses'. Employers and tribunals should be legally required to judge the objective merits of a worker’s intervention in emergency or crime situations.
We believe section 98(4) of the ERA 1996 lets firms too easily sack staff for technical breaches during crises. This prioritises rigid policy over human safety. Employers use 'safety protocols' and 'potential disrepute' as catch-all excuses to sack often heroic employees who intervene in thefts, violent crimes, or life-saving incidents. We believe the Government must mandate independent appeals and shift the legal test from a boss's 'belief' to the objective necessity of a worker's intervention to prevent harm.

Timeline

9 Mar 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 25
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 9 Mar 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.