4th October 2018
With only months to go until the UK leaves the EU, businesses and individuals are trying to plan for Brexit amidst uncertainty.
Sarah Everton, employment law expert with Myers & Co Solicitors in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire looks at what we know about the likely affect of Brexit on UK employment law and the rights of EU workers, both in the event of a deal and a no deal exit. She also highlights a couple of changes in employment rights for October.
The UK’s membership of the EU has significantly shaped employment law in the UK, much of which is based on EU law. In the time immediately after Brexit, it is unlikely there will be any changes to employment law. Unless the EU and the UK agree an implementation period which extends the current arrangements, the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 will convert law derived from EU law into UK law. However, the UK courts and employment tribunals will no longer have to follow future decisions of the European Union Court of Justice.
What will happen beyond that time is open to speculation. The government’s White Paper (published following the Chequers’ Agreement) proposes committing to the ‘non-regression’ of employment rights in the final agreement. Exactly what this will look like in practice or whether it will be agreed remains uncertain.
If the UK and the EU do not agree any minimum standards or limits on UK employment law, the UK Parliament should be free to change the law. Possible targets mooted for change include rights for agency workers, restrictions on working time and protection of contractual rights after the sale of a business.
Government guidance published in August on the effects of the UK leaving without a deal states that there will be no immediate impact on employment law, other than relating to European works councils and the rights of workers outside the UK on the insolvency of a British employer.
Until the exit date of 29 March 2019, EU and UK citizens have the right to free movement: to move within the EU to live and work. Although they are not legally binding and may change, the government has set out the arrangements which will replace free movement. These reflect an agreement reached with the EU. The main points are:
The government has provided a toolkit and guidance for EU citizens on the settlement scheme.
The immigration rights in the settlement scheme are contingent on the UK reaching an exit deal. However, in August, Dominic Raab the Brexit Secretary said that if there is no deal the government would ‘safeguard the future’ of EU citizens living in the UK. Reports of leaked cabinet papers suggest that the government would still implement the scheme.
There are only a couple of imminent changes. Firstly, employers’ childcare voucher schemes must have closed to new entrants by 4 October. Existing members will be able to continue to use these salary sacrifice schemes. Other options for helping with childcare costs are detailed in government guidance.
Secondly, on 1 October, new rules came into force to allow unpaid time off work for volunteers in the criminal justice system, such as prison monitors.
We can help you prepare for Brexit by auditing your workforce, identifying EU workers who could apply under the settlement scheme, as well as assisting with ways to support and effectively communicate with your staff.
If you would like to discuss this or any other employment matter, please contact Sarah Everton at Myers & Co Solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire on 01782 525 012 or email sarah.everton@myerssolicitors.co.uk.
