HR Hub

Rather than legislate to reform the current system of employment status, the government has instead produced new guides.

In 2017 Matthew Taylor published the Good Work Review looking at a wide range of employment practices and how they could/should be improved. One aspect of the review looked at employment status (the self-employed, limb (b) workers and employees). In 2018, the government’s response to this, The Good Work Plan, said that ‘we will legislate to improve the clarity of the employment status tests, reflecting the reality of modern working relationships’. It then published a consultation paper and, some four years later, we now have its response. Its 32 pages basically say that there’s little consensus on how to move forward and that there won’t therefore be any new legislation. What we do get however is three new guides (not legally binding but include some useful checklists):

• Employment status and employment rights: guidance for HR professionals, legal professionals and other groups
• Employment status and rights: support for individuals
• Employment status and rights: checklist for employers and other engagers