The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, has responded to the news that the Employment Rights Bill has passed its final parliamentary stage and is set to become law before Christmas. Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the NFDA, commented: “The Employment Rights Bill marks a significant shift in UK employment law, with new protection for workers, including access to sick pay and paternity leave from day one, and enhanced safeguards for pregnant women and new mothers. We are pleased to see a sensible compromise on the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims. While the original proposals could have had unintended consequences for hiring, the six-month threshold, which we actively lobbied for, strikes a fair balance between protecting employees and supporting business confidence. This was our primary concern, and we welcome the resolution. Having lobbied on the issue of zero-hour contracts, we were also delighted to see the Bill include changes to these arrangements, providing greater clarity and fairness for both employers and employees. NFDA will continue to monitor developments closely to ensure our members are fully informed and supported, and we encourage members to contact us with any questions during this transition.