Employment law strengthened for casual workers

Employment laws for casual workers on the Isle of Man are set to be strengthened from 1 April, the Department for Enterprise had confirmed.

The reforms will extend the right to a written statement with employment details and an itemised pay statement to all workers, including those on zero-hours contracts.

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston MHK said the revisions to the current laws, which date back to 2006, aimed to "enhance transparency and fairness in the workplace".

Based on public consultation feedback, the move is part of wider reforms have also seen proposed changes to whistleblowing and parental leave legislation being progressed.

A spokesman for the enterprise department said there had been concerns raised over irregular working arrangements.

Although feedback had suggested they could suit both parties, the department had committed to a "number of measures to minimise the abuse of zero-hour contracts".

Under the reforms, changes to the information that must be contained in employment paperwork will also be introduced, such as any paid leave or benefits and terms and conditions relating to hours of work.

Pay statements will also have include the hours worked for workers on variable hours contracts.

The amendments follow a similar measure introduced in the UK in 2020.

Mr Johnston said both employers and employees were encouraged to be aware of the changes and "ensure that the necessary work is being completed before the law comes into force".

He said the reforms were first step in the department's plan to bring forward a number of updates to Manx employment legislation to ensure "the protection of the island’s workforce".

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