“We support the Business and Trade Committee’s recommendation for ministers to set out clear plans to ensure the proposed Fair Work Agency is adequately resourced, but this will not go far enough to ensure that employment rights are being upheld or to support employers in complying with new laws. The Fair Work Agency will be just one part of the enforcement system and Acas also needs more resources if it is to support employers, particularly smaller firms, with compliance.
“More thought needs to go into how the measures in the bill will be effectively implemented in workplaces to avoid leading to more workplace disputes and a sharp increase in employment tribunal claims. The Government should prioritise the development of an implementation plan and support for employers to prepare for the new regulations. The law on its own won't be enough to improve outcomes – employer understanding and enforcement will be key.
“An effective labour market enforcement system would be a key foundation for another of the committee’s recommendations: an industrial relations strategy to support social partnership between employers, trade unions and sector bodies. This could be supported by the development of a new code of practice on collective employment relations.”
