Tim Sharp
@timsharp.bsky.social
Employment rights policy at the TUC.
Runs.
South East London via North East Scotland.
Runs.
South East London via North East Scotland.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Bore on about this a lot, but really was one of the worst parts of the government's response to the pandemic that they steadfastly and repeatedly refused to improve the existing sick pay system. Instead, they brought in a terrible temporary mess of a scheme six months in and ended it asap.
I wonder how much lower flu would be right now if we’d fixed sick pay properly during COVID so that your colleague didn’t come to work sick, give you flu, which you passed on to your granny before you realised
As i wrote at the time, bosses were allowed to demand we carried on commuting to their factories & call centres, no new protections were put in place (unlike EU countries) & sick pay remained lowest, whereas we could have reformed, stopping ppl having to go to work sick & infectious *with anything*
December 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Bore on about this a lot, but really was one of the worst parts of the government's response to the pandemic that they steadfastly and repeatedly refused to improve the existing sick pay system. Instead, they brought in a terrible temporary mess of a scheme six months in and ended it asap.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Find out why Gavin Edwards is "hugely optimistic" about the implementation of Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector ⤵️
December 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Find out why Gavin Edwards is "hugely optimistic" about the implementation of Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector ⤵️
Got my finger on the pulse.
December 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Got my finger on the pulse.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
I know it came out a couple of weeks back, but still find the section of the latest report from the covid inquiry depressing but unsurprising.
Despite clear advice on the need for better financial support for people to self-isolate, the treasury and the chancellor just ignored it.
Despite clear advice on the need for better financial support for people to self-isolate, the treasury and the chancellor just ignored it.
![Despite clear scientific advice, and despite many considering that the provision of
financial support to encourage adherence to testing and self-isolation policies was
necessary, the Inquiry heard that such provisions were “heatedly debated in
government”.144 Professor Whitty summarised:
“Treasury were generally not convinced by these arguments in favour of
payments for working people who were self-isolating and who were not
otherwise paid for that time.” Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer from February 2020 to July 2022,
confirmed to the Inquiry that he was: “sceptical that [financial provision] would make a significant difference to the
levels of people self-isolating”.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jj5kctmicqimmdbsem7vxpfq/bafkreihpvixgb4d2tegekrtj4arj2nyoo3id2y3no6kmhynmypn5sqysvu@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I know it came out a couple of weeks back, but still find the section of the latest report from the covid inquiry depressing but unsurprising.
Despite clear advice on the need for better financial support for people to self-isolate, the treasury and the chancellor just ignored it.
Despite clear advice on the need for better financial support for people to self-isolate, the treasury and the chancellor just ignored it.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Employers! Avoid this problem by simply not firing someone an hour after they start a job you have presumably selected them for.
The Employment Rights Bill could allow one to start a job at 9 a.m. and claim unfair dismissal an hour later.
✍️ Michael Simmons
✍️ Michael Simmons
The greatest threat to the economy? The Employment Rights Bill
On Monday night, former England manager Gareth Southgate joined MPs and philanthropists for an event in Westminster described as ‘the Oscars of the charity world’. Cabinet ministers Lisa Nandy and...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Employers! Avoid this problem by simply not firing someone an hour after they start a job you have presumably selected them for.
Zack Polanski in September: The Green Party stands in solidarity with the TUC in saying there must be no watering down of Workers’ Rights,
Green Party peers tonight: voting with Tories and Lib Dems to water down measures to stop exploitative zero hours contracts.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
Green Party peers tonight: voting with Tories and Lib Dems to water down measures to stop exploitative zero hours contracts.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
Employment Rights Bill - Lords' votes in Parliament - UK Parliament
Employment Rights Bill
votes.parliament.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Zack Polanski in September: The Green Party stands in solidarity with the TUC in saying there must be no watering down of Workers’ Rights,
Green Party peers tonight: voting with Tories and Lib Dems to water down measures to stop exploitative zero hours contracts.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
Green Party peers tonight: voting with Tories and Lib Dems to water down measures to stop exploitative zero hours contracts.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
Job cuts at TikTok came eight days before workers were due to vote on union recognition.
UK MPs urged to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 content moderator jobs www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
UK MPs urged to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 content moderator jobs www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
UK MPs urged to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 content moderator jobs
Trade unions and online safety experts sign letter warning jobs losses could expose children to harmful content
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Job cuts at TikTok came eight days before workers were due to vote on union recognition.
UK MPs urged to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 content moderator jobs www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
UK MPs urged to investigate TikTok’s plans to cut 439 content moderator jobs www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Great piece by @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social in support of the ECHR: exactly the points I and others in @soclablaw.bsky.social have been making. labourlist.org/2025/10/paul...
Paul Nowak Column: 'The Left has a political and moral duty to defend the ECHR' - LabourList
In his barnstorming regular column TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak says all MPs have a moral and political duty o defend the ECHR.
labourlist.org
October 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Great piece by @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social in support of the ECHR: exactly the points I and others in @soclablaw.bsky.social have been making. labourlist.org/2025/10/paul...
www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/dont-l...
The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay promises stronger protections for workers, but proposals being considered in Whitehall to reintroduce employment tribunal fees would risk undermining that progress.
The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay promises stronger protections for workers, but proposals being considered in Whitehall to reintroduce employment tribunal fees would risk undermining that progress.
Don't let tribunal fees undermine the government's Plan to Make Work Pay
The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay promises stronger protections for workers, but apparent proposals to reintroduce employment tribunal fees risk undermining that progress.
www.tuc.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/dont-l...
The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay promises stronger protections for workers, but proposals being considered in Whitehall to reintroduce employment tribunal fees would risk undermining that progress.
The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay promises stronger protections for workers, but proposals being considered in Whitehall to reintroduce employment tribunal fees would risk undermining that progress.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
The likes of EVRi, Deliveroo etc, and the murky pay 'models' they inflict on their workers, needs serious attention www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Why ‘dynamic pay’ is the new way to rip you off
Workers are being offered personalised payments for each job — but often that means they’re get a smaller piece of the pie
www.thetimes.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The likes of EVRi, Deliveroo etc, and the murky pay 'models' they inflict on their workers, needs serious attention www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Obstruction on the line: Employment Rights Bill delayed by peers’ amendments. @timsharp.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk update on shenanigans in the Lords www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/obstru...
Obstruction on the line: Employment Rights Bill delayed by peers’ amendments
Workers anticipating overdue improvements to their rights will have to wait longer after Tory and Lib Dem peers voted to water down key protections.
www.tuc.org.uk
July 29, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Obstruction on the line: Employment Rights Bill delayed by peers’ amendments. @timsharp.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk update on shenanigans in the Lords www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/obstru...
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Appalled to read this. A critical funder of UK social and fiscal policy research has just been summarily dumped, along with its key staff and trustees. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To all who think capitalism can drive progressive change, it won’t – and here’s the shocking proof | Polly Toynbee
Asset manager Aberdeen’s surprise cut to funding research into inequality has left those that used its grants for good work reeling, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Appalled to read this. A critical funder of UK social and fiscal policy research has just been summarily dumped, along with its key staff and trustees. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Time to boost workers' data rights to shed a light on the algorithms that determine their work and pay.
UK Uber drivers’ earnings cut after secretive algorithm changes www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
UK Uber drivers’ earnings cut after secretive algorithm changes www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Time to boost workers' data rights to shed a light on the algorithms that determine their work and pay.
UK Uber drivers’ earnings cut after secretive algorithm changes www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
UK Uber drivers’ earnings cut after secretive algorithm changes www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
🏆
May 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM
🏆
More needs to be done to facilitate workers' collective data rights.
The TUC response to the government's call for evidence on data intermediaries:
www.tuc.org.uk/research-ana...
The TUC response to the government's call for evidence on data intermediaries:
www.tuc.org.uk/research-ana...
Data intermediaries
TUC response to Department for Science, Innovation and Technology call for evidence, May 2025
www.tuc.org.uk
May 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
More needs to be done to facilitate workers' collective data rights.
The TUC response to the government's call for evidence on data intermediaries:
www.tuc.org.uk/research-ana...
The TUC response to the government's call for evidence on data intermediaries:
www.tuc.org.uk/research-ana...
What you will see next month: me speaking at this great event.
What you won't see: that terrible beard, which although it occasionally reappears in pixel form, is thankfully no longer attached to my face.
What you won't see: that terrible beard, which although it occasionally reappears in pixel form, is thankfully no longer attached to my face.
PLP Public Law and Technology Conference
📆Monday 9 June at Fieldfisher
Afternoon breakout sessions @connectedbydata.org @libertyhq.bsky.social @stopwatchuk.bsky.social @actionaiduk.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk @lawcentres.bsky.social
Book your place here: lnkd.in/eYsW5ifJ
📆Monday 9 June at Fieldfisher
Afternoon breakout sessions @connectedbydata.org @libertyhq.bsky.social @stopwatchuk.bsky.social @actionaiduk.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk @lawcentres.bsky.social
Book your place here: lnkd.in/eYsW5ifJ
May 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
What you will see next month: me speaking at this great event.
What you won't see: that terrible beard, which although it occasionally reappears in pixel form, is thankfully no longer attached to my face.
What you won't see: that terrible beard, which although it occasionally reappears in pixel form, is thankfully no longer attached to my face.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
At £118.75 a week, low statutory sick pay is a real issue.
One figure we didn’t include: households with a full-time worker spend £193 a week on essentials like food, housing, fuel and power.
Even among lower income households, it’s £128.
SSP doesn’t cover the basics.
One figure we didn’t include: households with a full-time worker spend £193 a week on essentials like food, housing, fuel and power.
Even among lower income households, it’s £128.
SSP doesn’t cover the basics.
May 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
At £118.75 a week, low statutory sick pay is a real issue.
One figure we didn’t include: households with a full-time worker spend £193 a week on essentials like food, housing, fuel and power.
Even among lower income households, it’s £128.
SSP doesn’t cover the basics.
One figure we didn’t include: households with a full-time worker spend £193 a week on essentials like food, housing, fuel and power.
Even among lower income households, it’s £128.
SSP doesn’t cover the basics.
Enjoyed speaking at an IOSH event on the platform economy in parliament today, chaired by Lee Barron MP.
We need swift moves to update employment status rules to ensure platform workers are protected by labour law and measures that foster a strong trade union presence in emerging sectors.
We need swift moves to update employment status rules to ensure platform workers are protected by labour law and measures that foster a strong trade union presence in emerging sectors.
Attended an event today in Parliament hosted by IOSH on protecting platform workers in the age of AI.
Some great insights on how we can ensure the fair treatment of gig workers and provide transparency and worker autonomy in AI decision making processes.
Some great insights on how we can ensure the fair treatment of gig workers and provide transparency and worker autonomy in AI decision making processes.
May 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Enjoyed speaking at an IOSH event on the platform economy in parliament today, chaired by Lee Barron MP.
We need swift moves to update employment status rules to ensure platform workers are protected by labour law and measures that foster a strong trade union presence in emerging sectors.
We need swift moves to update employment status rules to ensure platform workers are protected by labour law and measures that foster a strong trade union presence in emerging sectors.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Why does Nigel Farage want me to lose my job?
April 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Why does Nigel Farage want me to lose my job?
I like East Lothian on a sunny day.
May 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I like East Lothian on a sunny day.
Once again, I conclude that Stratford is the worst place in London.
And I include Bank station in that.
And I include Bank station in that.
May 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Once again, I conclude that Stratford is the worst place in London.
And I include Bank station in that.
And I include Bank station in that.
Reposted by Tim Sharp
Many politicians - Tony Blair just the latest - appear more sceptical about public support for net zero agenda than evidence suggests is warranted.
Most recent YouGov poll found 61% of UK voters support govt plans on this, with just 24% opposed…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Most recent YouGov poll found 61% of UK voters support govt plans on this, with just 24% opposed…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Climate plan based on phasing out fossil fuels doomed to fail, says Tony Blair
Former PM claims net zero policies losing public support and says there should be greater focus on carbon capture
www.theguardian.com
April 30, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Many politicians - Tony Blair just the latest - appear more sceptical about public support for net zero agenda than evidence suggests is warranted.
Most recent YouGov poll found 61% of UK voters support govt plans on this, with just 24% opposed…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Most recent YouGov poll found 61% of UK voters support govt plans on this, with just 24% opposed…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Tim Sharp
📣 Read the new Digit Data Commentary, ‘Labour rights in the digital economy: A first look at the CBR Platform Work Index’, by Louise Bishop, Christine Carter, Simon Deakin and Kamelia Pourkermani.
Labour rights in the digital economy: A first look at the CBR Platform Work Index
This Data Commentary presents emerging findings from the CBR Platform Work Index, which provides a new measure to benchmark the comparative strength of legal protections for platform workers around th...
digit-research.org
April 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
📣 Read the new Digit Data Commentary, ‘Labour rights in the digital economy: A first look at the CBR Platform Work Index’, by Louise Bishop, Christine Carter, Simon Deakin and Kamelia Pourkermani.