The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released a statement urging members of the House of Lords to “stand firm” on the Employment Rights Bill, as it enters the next stage of parliamentary consideration.

The new Employment Rights Bill includes changes to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, sick pay and employee protections for whistleblowing and sexual harassment.

It s expected to come into effect at the end of this year.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC said: “The House of Lords should stand firm on their proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. Peers see just how risky the consequences of this Bill could be, and their proposed amendments will help protect employees as well as crucial employment opportunities all over the country.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

“The Keep Britain Working review revealed the sheer scale of economic inactivity. Retail, as the largest private sector employer, will be instrumental in taking forward the review’s recommendations. But if the Employment Rights Bill passes without amendments, it will hinder rather than help retailers play their part in offering local, flexible and part-time jobs at scale.”

The new Bill will provide protection for retail workers by removing guaranteed hours from a ‘right to have’, to a ‘right to request’.

While the new qualifying period for unfair dismissal will also be reduced from two years to six months.

Dickinson added: “Retailers support the Employment Rights Bill’s goal of cracking down on unscrupulous employers who do not treat their employees fairly, but this must not come at the price of penalising responsible businesses.

“With unemployment now at 5%, this Bill could mean it will be communities across the UK who will end up paying the price when fewer job opportunities are available.”