Member

I have a problem with purpose clauses in general—and this one in particular—because they do not focus on outcomes. I believe that one of the outcomes of the Bill will be to reduce employment opportunities for some important groups of workers. The young, the disabled and those with patchy employment records or a history of ill health are already an employment risk. Giving them day-one rights and the increase in statutory sick pay just raise the risks of employing these people, so many employers will do their best not to take them on to the payroll. Similarly, the complexity and inflexibility of the rights to guaranteed hours will reduce opportunities for those who want flexible working, because employers will not expose themselves to the risks of acquiring those employees to obtain such rights.