Fire and Rehire 2023-11-30
2023-11-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern over employers using fire and rehire tactics to change contractual terms of employment.
What steps she is taking to prevent the use of fire and rehire practices. She asked about measures being taken to stop these practices.
The Government consulted on a draft statutory code of practice on fire and rehire earlier this year. The final version will be published in spring next year, setting out employers' responsibilities when changing employment terms and ensuring dismissal and re-engagement is used only as the last resort.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address any specific steps taken to prevent current use of fire and rehire practices beyond consulting on a code of practice
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
P&O Cruises imposed new contractual terms on workers through fire and rehire tactics, despite the Government's promise to clamp down on them.
The hon. Lady noted that P&O felt able to impose new contractual terms on workers last week through fire and rehire tactics, showing employers still feel they can use these tactics with impunity. She thanked the Minister for his answer but asked if there is any way legislation could be brought in more urgently to protect workers properly.
Agreed with bringing legislation forward as quickly as possible. Stated P&O was not a fire and rehire situation but a fire-only situation, condemned by the Government. The new statutory code of practice will be in place in spring next year, allowing employment tribunals to increase employees' compensation by up to 25% if an employer fails unreasonably to comply with the code.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to bringing legislation more urgently, only stated it would be in place next spring
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns were raised that the Carnival group was making provision to fire and rehire hundreds of staff working on P&O Cruises and Cunard Line. This revived memories of last year when P&O Ferries sacked over 800 employees.
Last week, concerns were raised about the Carnival group planning to fire and rehire hundreds of staff working on P&O Cruises and Cunard Line. The hon. Member asked if banning fire and rehire tactics once and for all is necessary to provide workers with security.
Does not think completely banning fire and rehire is the right thing to do because companies may need to restructure quickly. Thinks employees' proper consultation rights should be observed, and employment tribunals can impose a significant uplift on redundancy payments if an employer does not follow the statutory code of practice.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether to legislate against fire and rehire tactics
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Research found that between March 2020 and July 2021, 43,000 employers changed their employees' contracts through fire and rehire techniques. The Government promised action following the P&O scandal.
Fire and rehire is rife in this country. Between March 2020 and July 2021, research found that 43,000 employers changed their employees' contracts through fire and rehire techniques. The hon. Member asked how many employees he estimates will have had their contract changed through fire and rehire in the two-year period before any changes are implemented.
Does not have that number to hand. Wants to strike a balance between employers and their workforces, condemns what P&O did, committed to bringing in new measures on fire and rehire and intends to bring those provisions before the House next spring.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an estimate of employees affected by fire and rehire over two years
Changed Subject
Response accuracy