Context
The question arises from concerns that disabled, ethnic minority, and young workers are at risk of being unfairly dismissed before the two-year threshold despite protections under the Equality Act 2010. The previous Labour government had a one-year threshold for unfair dismissal.
Question
We know that workers are often unfairly dismissed before the two-year threshold despite the application of the Equality Act 2010. That threshold was one year under the previous Labour Government; we are reducing it again down to six months. However, there is still a risk of disabled workers, ethnic minority workers and young workers being unfairly dismissed. Will the Government monitor the data about workers who have been unfairly dismissed in the first six months to ensure that their protected characteristics are not a feature of their dismissal?
Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Seema Malhotra)
Data about tribunal cases will continue to be collected in the usual way. We know that disabled people are more likely to be impacted by unfair dismissals. Employees already have day one protections against discrimination, and recent developments in the Employment Rights Bill do not change that protection. This Government are absolutely committed to supporting disabled people to thrive at work, including by introducing disability pay gap reporting and stronger flexible working rights.
Not addressed: The specific request for monitoring data on workers unfairly dismissed within six months was not directly addressed.
How: Employees Already Have Day One Protections Against Discrimination, This Government Are Absolutely Committed To Supporting Disabled People
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