No changes expected in 2020 to existing EU-derived employment
rights.
THE FACTS
Now that Brexit Day has passed the question of what will happen
to employment rights which have their genesis in EU law is once
again being asked. It is important to remember that the majority of
European Union employment law has been brought into effect by UK
legislation, meaning that it will remain in force unless repealed
after Brexit.
The effect of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act
2020, and the Withdrawal Agreement that it implements, is that for
most purposes the UK is treated as if it were still an EU member
state until "IP completion day" (11pm on 31 December
2020). During the implementation period, the UK will still be bound
by most EU law, including giving effect to employment rights set at
an EU level, and indeed will have to implement any new EU laws that
require implementation by member states during 2020.
