Proposed Changes to the Employment Rights Bill
A number of changes have been proposed to the Employment Rights Bill at the Committee Stage. The most significant change is the extension of time limits for bringing employment tribunal claims.
The government is proposing to extend the usual three-month time limit for most claims to six months. This extension will apply to claims under the Equality Act and the Employment Rights Act, including cases of unfair dismissal.
Potential Impact on Businesses
Extending the tribunal time limits could significantly impact businesses. Allowing employees a longer period to make a claim could lead to an increase in the number of claims or, at the very least, extend the period of uncertainty for employers who may be concerned about potential claims against their business. This is set against the backdrop of an employment tribunal system where a final decision can already be a lengthy process, particularly for complex cases.
Stay Updated
We will keep you informed about further developments. In the meantime, if you have an HR issue you are concerned about, please get in touch—we are here to help.
Want to catch up on the Employment Rights Bill so far? You can check out our previous Legal Updates here: Part One and Part Two.