Large retailers have raised concerns that planned changes to guaranteed working hours could affect more than half of roles in the sector, reported The Guardian, citing The British Retail Consortium (BRC).
They argue that the reforms may make it more difficult for shops to offer part-time work, particularly to younger employees.
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Under the Employment Rights Act, new workplace protections are set to take effect from April, covering areas that include sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition.
A further package of measures is expected next year, including new rights to guaranteed hours for workers on zero-hours or “low hours” contracts, rules on flexible working, compensation where shifts are cancelled at short notice, and restrictions on fire-and-rehire practices in most situations.
The government has not yet confirmed two key elements of the guaranteed-hours policy: the maximum weekly hours that would qualify as “low hours”, and the length of time over which someone’s working pattern would be assessed when deciding entitlement to guaranteed hours.
The BRC represents some of the UK’s biggest retailers such as Asda, M&S, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Starbucks and Tesco.
It is urging ministers to limit the guaranteed-hours provisions to contracts of eight hours a week or fewer.
It is also calling for the reference period used to judge working patterns to be at least 26 weeks, and preferably 12 months, saying this would align better with seasonal variation in staffing.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson was quoted by the publication as saying: “Flexible retail jobs are a vital part of how millions of people are able to stay in work.
“As the UK’s largest private sector employer, retail provides opportunities for students earning alongside their studies, parents balancing childcare, and those managing health conditions. These part-time roles are not only valued but relied upon across the country.
“Retailers support the aim to improve job security, but the details of Employment Rights Act implementation will be critical. If reforms treat flexibility as a problem rather than something workers actively choose, the risk is fewer opportunities and reduced access to work. Government must strike the right balance by targeting genuine bad practice while protecting the flexible roles that underpin employment in retail.”
The BRC said its analysis shows 55% of retail jobs are part-time, compared with a UK-wide average of 33%.
It also pointed to polling carried out by Opinium for the BRC among 2,000 adults, which found that 52% of respondents considered the ability to adjust working hours around personal commitments to be important.
Trade union Usdaw disputed the retailers’ concerns, arguing the proposals would primarily help those most exposed to insecure employment.
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas commented: “Retail employment is notoriously dogged by precarious employment practices and retail workers absolutely rely on basic employment rights, particularly with non-unionised employers. So, the act is very important to staff and crucially helps to protect decent employers from being undercut by the worst who exploit workers.
“Tackling precarious employment is good for the economy, growth and individual workers who should have the decency of a guaranteed wage that they can live off.”
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, who also backed the changes, said: “Working people need security and predictability to plan their lives, manage their finances and care for their children. It’s no wonder this change is so popular. It will make a massive difference to many families’ quality of life. We can’t afford the status quo.”
