Law at Work
The TUC campaigns for decent employment rights, and helps unions make the most of advances in employment protection. This is where you can find our policy briefings and expert advice on employment law for unions. You can find older material by using the search facilities. To find out whether the law can help you, visit our special your rights at work area.
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
Uncertain Status
A TUC seminar on employment status and access to employment rights in the UK. 23rd July 2008, London
16 July 2008
EU agreement on agency work
At its meeting on 9 June 2008, the EU Social Affairs Council (SAC) which includes Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) Secretary of State John Hutton, agreed a text for the EU Temporary Agency Workers Directive (TAWD).
24 June 2008
What the EU has agreed on working time
Yesterday the EU Social Affairs Council (SAC), which includes BERR Secretary of State John Hutton, agreed a text for the revision of the Working Time Directive.
In the TUC's view, the SAC position is a very mixed bag. We are disappointed that it retains individual opt-outs from the 48 hour limit on average weekly working time, and we are worried that a new exemption for people who work for less than ten weeks for an employer will lead to abuse of vulnerable workers. But there are also advances. It sets a cap of an average of 60 hours for those who have opted out, and sets new conditions on the use of the opt-out. Workers will not be able to sign away their rights in the first month and the opt-out will need to be renewed each year.
10 June 2008
EU agreement - good news for agency workers and progress on working time
Commenting on the outcome of the EU's Social Affairs Council, which reached agreement on an Agency Working Directive and changes to the Working Time Directive, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“This adds up to good news for people at work in the UK. The agreement on agency work is a major step forward in delivering a fair deal at work for UK agency workers and a real breakthrough on an issue that has been stalled at EU level for many years.
10 June 2008
AGENCY WORKERS: JOINT DECLARATION BY GOVERNMENT, THE CBI AND THE TUC
The CBI and TUC have reached agreement on how fairer treatment for agency workers in the UK should be promoted, while not removing the important flexibility that agency work can offer both employers and workers. Agreement has been reached on the following points.
28 May 2008
TUC welcomes 'fairness' commitment on agency workers
Commenting on proposals announced today (Wednesday) in the Draft Legislative Programme concerning agency workers, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“I welcome the Prime Minister's clear recognition that agency workers get a raw deal, and that there is a need to make life fairer for agency workers. Unions will now step up their campaign to secure proper protection and a fair deal for agency workers.”
14 May 2008
| Older documents - 182 |  |