Majority of SMEs believe Employment Rights Bill will positively impact productivity

A new report delving into SME’s thoughts on the proposed new Employment Rights Bill and New Deal for Working People laws has had a mostly positive response.

For example, unlike bigger firms, SME bosses say that the legislation will be good for business – 68% believe that the Employment Rights Bill will have a positive impact on productivity, 69% agree that it will help with retention and 72% believe it will benefit wellbeing.

The Breathe survey also found that many SMEs were in agreement that staff should have the right to leave work behind outside of their working hours; 44% believe that staff should be empowered to disconnect from work and 41% strongly agree that workers should have the right to ‘switch off’.

The findings did however reveal concerns too, with 61% of SME leaders saying that implementing these proposed changes will significantly add to their workload.

Commenting on the report, Gareth Burrows, Founder and MD at Breathe, said, “SMEs are the lifeblood of Britain’s business ecosystem. Yet the voices of SME leaders are often unrepresented and drowned out by those bosses at bigger businesses.

“Now, they’re loud and clear: our research shows that SMEs overwhelmingly support new workers’ rights, and expect both their teams and businesses to benefit from the changes once they are implemented. This isn’t to say that the road ahead will be easy for those who are tasked with steering these crucial changes through millions of British SMEs.”

Gareth added, “SME leaders are in a difficult position. Our survey shows that they want the best for staff. But they also recognise the impact implementing the Employment Rights Bill is going to have on their day-to-day.

“We firmly believe leaders responsible for implementing the “right to switch off” and Employment Rights Bill changes deserve the same support and work-life balance which they are helping to shore up for their teams. Listening to these leaders’ priorities, concerns, and needs is the first step. Next, we must give SME leaders the tools they need to navigate rule changes and implement new policies as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

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