FT BOARD DIRECTOR PROGRAMME NEWSLETTER

How could the government’s flagship workers’ rights reforms affect the private sector? An FT editorial this week highlighted one recent change, which will ‘enable qualifying trade unions to use premises and digital platforms in companies with 21 or more employees to communicate with workers.’ 

The article suggested that the reforms were causing concern in boardrooms across the country, with fears that these new powers ‘could create regular distractions and disruptions’ and that ‘time-consuming run-ins with trade unions only add to the rising cost of doing business under Labour.’ Only time will show the true impact this change and others could make, but membership numbers are certainly rising - private sector union membership is up by 76,000 in the past year alone. 

Just this week, Barclays took a step back from its proposed return-to-office mandate, after significant employee backlash, spearheaded by Unite, the union that represents almost 80 percent of the bank’s UK staff. After announcing that employees would be expected in the office for three days a week (four for senior leaders) the company’s executive committee explained in an email that changes would now involve a lengthy transition process, as opposed to coming into immediate effect. 

Both the bank and union both say ‘they will continue to discuss the matter.’

Until next time, 

Lottie and the FT Board Director Programme team