Only 3% of employers believe Lords will back down on Employment Rights Bill, survey reveals

Employers are bracing for uncertainty as the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) returns to the House of Lords today, with new research pointing to minimal confidence that peers will soften their stance on key reforms.

A survey of 190 senior HR, compliance, legal and executive leaders by VinciWorks found that only 3% expect the Lords to back down over disputed measures such as day-one employment rights and changes to trade union rules.

One in five (21%) believe the legislation will fail altogether, while 12% anticipate the government resorting to the Parliament Act, potentially delaying the ERB until next year.

A further 40% predict a compromise, despite ministers declining to engage in negotiations.

Nick Henderson-Mayo, head of compliance at VinciWorks, said: “The government is backing itself into a corner by refusing to negotiate.

“The Employment Rights Bill is the biggest change to workers’ rights in decades, and employers deserve to have their voices heard over certain proposals which will be very difficult to implement.”

The most contentious provisions include extending unfair dismissal protection to the first day of employment, new rights for zero-hours staff and rules on political donations to trade unions.

With peers expected to reject these measures again, employers remain in limbo over future obligations.