Employment (Amendment) Bill 2023
In summer 2022 the Department for Enterprise published a consultation on family leave rights, a consultation on whistleblowing and a consultation on zero hours contracts which set out proposals for new rights and legislative changes.
The Employment (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced to the Legislative Branches in June 2023 and received final approval in April 2024. It is intended that the provisions in the Bill come into force on 1 April 2025.
The changes are:
Family leave rights
- The right to time off work to accompany a partner to antenatal appointments, for adoption appointments and to take care of dependants in emergencies
- The right to shared parental leave
- The right to parental bereavement leave (including in cases of miscarriage and stillbirth
Whistleblowing
- The introduction of a public interest test
- The introduction of vicarious liability to prevent detrimental treatment of whistle-blowers by other employees on behalf of an employer
- Removal of the requirement that a disclosure be made in good faith
- Provision to make clear that a protected disclosure has been made
- Power to make regulations to require prescribed persons to report on whistleblowing cases
- Power for interim relief
Zero hours contracts
- The introduction of the provision to make a right to a written statement of employment terms and conditions a ‘day one’ right
The Employment (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Explanatory Notes for the Bill are available on the Tynwald website.
In addition, to aid consideration of the Bill the following documents have been prepared:
- Impact Assessment
- Equality Impact Assessment
- Keeling Schedule
- Keeling Schedule incorporating amendments made at Clauses Stage in the House of Keys
- Keeling Schedule incorporating amendments made by Legislative Council
If you would like any further information about the Bill, or have any questions, please contact:
Steven Tallach
Legislation Officer
Department for Enterprise
Tel: +44 1624 685375
Email: steven.tallach@gov.im
