The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has launched an online hub to help Londoners of all backgrounds and professions to know, understand and enforce their rights at work.
Following the launch of the Good Work Standard earlier this year, the free-to-access hub marks the latest step in the Mayor’s overall mission of making London the best city in the world in which to work.
The hub will equip Londoners with the following:
• An overview of employment rights and an understanding of which ones may impact them
• Links to trusted advice on how to begin to resolve workplace disputes
• Guidance on locating the organisation best positioned to provide support
• Tips on what information and evidence to take to an advice session
The Hub has been developed with the needs of workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation at its heart and aims to reduce the need for face-to-face consultations by equipping Londoners with a better understanding of their employment rights.
For users who want to know more or suspect their rights may have been breached, the site also signposts visitors to other verified online platforms which will provide the most up-to-date information or advice on their situation.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Debbie Weekes-Bernard announced the Employment Rights Hub at the London Child Poverty Summit in Westminster today.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “London is the best city in the world to do business and my ambition is to make it the best city in the world in which to work too. We should be a beacon to other global cities when it comes to workers’ rights.
“That is why I launched the Good Work Standard earlier this year and why we have launched the Employment Rights Hub.
“Every employer has a responsibility to promote fair practices and provide fair pay but, too often, members of staff are left in the dark about their rights and unsure where to seek advice.
“The Employment Rights Hub is yet another way in which City Hall is leading by example and supporting the great work of trade unions in helping working Londoners understand their employment status and access their rights. That’s why I continue to urge all Londoners to join a trade union.”
Sam Gurney, Regional Secretary, TUC said: “We welcome all steps to make workers in our city more aware of their rights. Even when people are aware of their basic entitlements many still have difficulty in actually securing them, so we especially welcome the links to the find a union site on the new portal.
“The new hub is another important step in the Mayor’s commitment to improving the quality of work for all Londoners.”
Maggi Ferncombe, Regional Secretary, UNISON said: “This free hub will be invaluable to a lot of working Londoners. We know that being a member of a Trade Union makes all the difference to workers when they need help at work; but for those who have yet to join one, this hub provides answers to most questions and sign posts them to where they can get help, including a trade union.
“Following the introduction of the Good Work Standard, once again the Mayor has delivered something tangible that will make a real difference to working Londoners.”
Camilla Palmer, ELAN* co-ordinator, Trust for London said: “We welcome the setting up of an Employment Rights Hub, a one-stop shop for workers to find out their legal rights and how to enforce them. It is in plain English and signposts workers to advice agencies.
“Many Londoners - particularly those in low-paid or precarious work - desperately need this service.”
*ELAN is a London hub for employment advisers run by Trust for London.
Notes to editors
The Employment Rights Hub can be accessed here - https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/about-your-rights-work
Sadiq launched the Good Work Standard in July 2019. It was developed in collaboration with London's employers, trade unions and professional bodies and sets the benchmark the Mayor wants every London employer to achieve, including paying all staff at least the London Living Wage, currently £10.55 an hour.
The Good Work Standard has the support of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and requires accredited employers to meet a set of criteria covering fair pay and conditions, wellbeing, skills and progression, and diversity and recruitment.