Why Chester’s Businesses Must Embrace Change
Chester

Why Chester’s Businesses Must Embrace Change

Chester’s Thriving Business Landscape is Evolving

Chester isn’t just a stunning city infused with history – it’s a thriving hub for industries such as hospitality, retail, professional services, and healthcare. With its £2 billion visitor economy and ranking as the fourth best city in the UK in a YouGov poll, Chester is a powerhouse of opportunity.

But the landscape is shifting. On 10th October 2024, the Employment Rights Bill was introduced, bringing significant employment law changes in Chester. These reforms will challenge businesses to adapt, but those that evolve will stay competitive and attract top talent.

So, what are the key changes, and how will they impact your business?

Let’s break it down:

Flexible Working: The Future of Employment

Flexible working has been a hot topic for years. A recent CIPD survey revealed that nearly 2 million workers left a job due to a lack of flexible working. With the Employment Rights Bill, flexible working will shift from being a perk to a default day-one right! Employees will have the ability to request flexible schedules, and employers can only refuse on reasonable grounds. Learn how to manage flexible working requests here: CIPD flexible working guide.

For Chester’s bustling retail and hospitality industries, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Adapting to these changes could position your business as a leader in the industry, helping you attract top talent even in sectors traditionally seen as less flexible.

The first step? Foster open conversations with your team about flexibility. Aligning employee needs with operational goals will help you create a workplace culture built on empowerment and trust.

 

Well-being is a Business Priority

Supporting employee well-being has never been more critical. Recent changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and parental leave highlight a growing shift toward supporting employees during life’s most challenging moments, making family-first policies the norm. Learn more here: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and parental leave.

Fathers now have day-one rights to paternity leave, while new mothers gain stronger protections, such as an extended six-month dismissal shield after returning from maternity leave.

For employers in Chester’s public administration and healthcare sectors, these changes emphasise the importance of cultivating a family-friendly work culture. By creating supportive environments, you can attract talent that values work-life balance.

In Chester’s retail and tourism industries, the focus should be on planning ahead for team absences, ensuring business continuity while making employees feel valued. Meanwhile, in professional services, investing in robust policies sends a powerful message: your people matter!

By offering enhanced parental leave or improved sick leave policies, you can retain top talent, foster loyalty, and strengthen workplace culture. Prioritising well-being isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a smart strategy for long-term success.

 

Stronger Protection Against Workplace Harassment

The Employment Rights Bill places greater responsibility on employers to prevent workplace harassment, including third-party harassment. Find out about changes to sexual harassment laws: Understanding Recent Changes in Sexual Harassment Laws

This is particularly relevant for Chester’s tourism and hospitality sectors, where employees frequently interact with customers.

Proactive steps – such as training managers and staff – will help create a safe and respectful work environment. A harassment-free workplace not only protects employees but also enhances your reputation as a people-first employer. More about sexual harassment training here: Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Training Course

 

Fairness Builds Better Workplaces

Transparency is your most powerful tool when updating policies or managing disciplinary processes. Workers now have unfair dismissal protections from day one, with a proposed nine-month statutory probation period to assess suitability early. What will this mean for you: Protection against unfair dismissal from day one.

For Chester’s professional services and healthcare providers, this means refining recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure fair treatment. In fast-paced industries like retail and tourism, fairness will build trust within the team. Professional service leaders can reduce risks and enhance accountability through clear, transparent policies.

Ultimately, fairness fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures accountability. By embracing open communication and explaining the “why” behind decisions, businesses can create a culture where fairness and collaboration thrive.

 

How These Changes Impact Chester’s Core Industries

 

Hospitality: Strengthening Staff Stability

From Chester’s charming restaurants to its vibrant pubs and hotels, fairness and guaranteed hours could help address long-standing staffing challenges. Now more than ever, training managers to effectively handle shift planning and communication is essential.

 

Retail: A New Approach to Workforce Planning

For retailers along Chester’s bustling high streets, these new laws require a fresh approach to traditional rotas. By offering greater job security and working arrangements, your business can attract loyal employees and enhance customer satisfaction.

 

Healthcare: Balancing Flexibility & Compliance

As one of Chester’s largest employment sectors, healthcare providers must balance compliance with day-one rights and flexible working demands while maintaining high standards of patient care. Building a people-focused culture will be key to retaining skilled professionals.

 

Professional Services: Leading with Adaptability

In competitive fields like finance, law, and consulting, businesses must embrace family-friendly and flexible work policies to attract and retain top talent. Proactive adoption of these changes will ensure you remain ahead in Chester’s growing market.

 

Lead with Confidence

Adapting to the Employment Rights Bill is more than just compliance – it’s your opportunity to lead. By embracing flexibility, prioritising well-being, and fostering fairness, your business can shine as a beacon of innovation and leadership.

Chester’s businesses are built on resilience, innovation, and community values. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse opportunities, Chester thrives as a city of possibilities. Whether you’re serving visitors in its historic streets, managing a high-performing financial team, or driving public sector success, these changes present a unique chance to redefine leadership.

 

Looking to Stay Ahead?

At Wurkplace, we understand the unique puzzles Chester businesses face. Our team is here to guide you through these changes with confidence and clarity, ensuring your business not only adapts but sets the standard for success. Learn more here: Our employment law services.

We are hosting quarterly seminars in Chester where we’ll explore these critical updates and their impact on your business in more detail.
For all info on all our upcoming seminars, visit our Wurkplace Live page.

Together, we can ensure that Chester remains a thriving hub for innovation, collaboration, and growth.

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