Policy Brief

Zero Hours Contracts  

(Published December 2023)

Policy Brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE

Zero Hours Contracts

ReWAGE’s report Zero Hours Contracts has concluded that the increase of zero hours contracts over the last 20 years has created significant risk for workers as unreliable work can result in a sudden loss of hours and earnings, and an inability to access legal advice for unfair or potentially unlawful employment practices.

Policy Brief

Managerial Capability – Minimising the Costs of Workplace Conflict in Northern Ireland 

(Published September 2023)

Policy Brief was authored for ReWAGE by Professor Richard Saundry, University of Westminster.

Managerial Capability - Minimising the Costs of Workplace Conflict in Northern Ireland

A recent report, Estimating the Costs of Workplace Conflict in Northern Ireland commissioned by the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has revealed that almost 300,000 employees (37% of the workforce) experience conflict in the workplace, costing the local economy of £851m.

Analysis forms the basis of a new report from work and employment expert group, ReWAGE, which focuses on the impact of workplace conflict in Northern Ireland. Managerial Capability – Minimising the Costs of Workplace Conflict in Northern Ireland compares the relative costs of resolving conflict early through informal discussion and mediation, and situations where those discussions either fail or do not take place, resulting in dismissal or resignation.

Evidence Paper

The future of flexible working 

(Published September 2023)

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

The future of flexible working

ReWAGE’s new report, The future of flexible workingLink opens in a new window, says that remote working is here to stay, but even for those able to work remotely there are many unresolved issues that need to be addressed. More importantly, opportunities for flexible working need to be expanded for the majority of the workforce who cannot work remotely if we are to avoid widening inequality. A short policy brief is available

Evidence Paper

Work, wages and employment in the UK hospitality sector

(Published June 2023)

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Work, wages and employment in the hospitality industry

ReWAGE's report calls for a radical overhaul of the hospitality sector to tackle crisis-level staff shortages. Recommendations in the paper, Work, wages and employment in the UK hospitality sector, include better pay, terms and conditions for employees, legislation to reinforce employer duty-of-care responsibilities for workers travelling to and from work, and more flexibility to employ seasonal workers from within the EU and beyond. A short policy brief is available.

Evidence Paper

Migration and the health and care workforce

(Published June 2023)

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Migration and the health and care workforce

A new analysis published by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford commissioned by ReWAGE has found that international recruitment has successfully helped to ease staff shortages in the UK health and care sector. However, the report: Migration and the health and care workforce concludes that if high reliance on overseas workers persists long term it also brings vulnerabilities, including exposure to international competition for health workers and risks of exploitation in the care sector. A short policy brief is available.

Policy Brief

Getting LSIPs right

(Published June 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Getting LSIPs right

Policy Brief

Reversing the staffing problems in social care - the case for a new approach

(Published June 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Reversing the staffing problems in social care - the case for a new approach

Our policy brief: Reversing the staffing problems in social care - the case for a new approach looks ‘behind the numbers’ to find out more about the current recruitment and retention crisis facing the social care sector. It concludes that there is a wealth of existing data about the adult social care labour market that can be interrogated to identify workable solutions.

Policy Brief

Trade Unions in contemporary Britain

A review of employer membership organisations in the UK 

(Published May 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

The roles of Trade Unions and Employer Membership Organisations in the UK today

Trade Unions in contemporary Britain re-examines trade unions – how they operate and their effects on their membership and wider society – by reviewing both new evidence and established opinions about them as organisations and forces for social change.

A review of employer membership organisations in the UK examines the role of employer organisations in the UK economy, including their relevance to policy debate about labour market reform.

Policy Brief

The UK’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) and its impact on workers’ mental health

(Published May 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

The UK's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) and its impact on workers' mental health.

Policy Brief

The cost of conflict at work and its impact on productivity

(Published May 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

The cost of conflict at work and its impact on productivity

More than 1 in 3 workers experience conflict at work at a cost of £28.5bn per year in the UK as a whole – an average of around £1000 for every UK worker. ReWAGE's publication: The cost of conflict at work and its impact on productivity uses CIPD research and Acas analysis to break down the costs and to explain why early intervention and investment in managerial skills are the key to reducing that figure.

Evidence paper

Work, jobs and common mental health problems - what guidance should employers receive?

(Published April 2023)

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Work, jobs and common mental health problems - what guidance should employers receive?

Evidence shows that working age common mental health problems in the UK are persistent and may be even increasing. Work, jobs and common mental health problems - what guidance should employers receive? outlines actions that employers can take – both to prevent common employee mental health problems and to help those affected to recover. It also makes the case for current guidance for employers issued by Government departments and others to be extended. A short policy brief is also available.

Evidence paper

Adult career guidance and its role in skills development

(Published April 2023)

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

Adult career guidance and its role in skills development

In an ever-challenging and complex labour market, adults need support to transition into, within and through the labour market. Adult career guidance and its role in skills development reviews existing international evidence on career guidance to examine the role it plays in skills development, considers what extended career support for adults could look like and gives policy recommendations. A short policy brief is also available.

Policy Brief

What next for a fair minimum wage?

(Published March 2023)

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

What next for a fair minimum wage?

Building on the UK’s successful minimum wage policy to date, a new ReWAGE evidence paper: What next for a fair minimum wage? makes eight recommendations for a fair minimum wage, reflecting on how social norms of fairness have changed and whether the minimum wage still measures up to current perceptions of ‘fairness’. A short summary of the paper is also available.

Policy Brief

Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill and
social rights

(Published February 2023)

Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill and social rights

In the week in which the Retained EU Law Bill was being debated in the House of Lords, ReWAGE published a summary of the Bill authored by Professor Catherine Barnard. This short paper acknowledges the need for expediency but also raises a number of issues, in particular highlighting the importance of clarity of policy, extensive consultation and effective parliamentary scrutiny.

Evidence Paper

Job quality and productivity in the
small firm

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published February 2023)

Job quality and productivity in the small firm

ReWAGE’s evidence paper Job quality and productivity in the small firm looks at the different working practices of large firms and smaller firms. It explains why policymakers seeking to either offer support or attempting to measure the quality of jobs in the UK need to consider the unique characteristics of small firms when developing advice, guidance or interventions.

A 2-page summary of the paper is also available.

Evidence Paper

How to address skills shortages at the intermediate skills level

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published January 2023)

How to address skills shortages at the intermediate skills level

ReWAGE's evidence paper How to address skills shortages at the intermediate skills level finds that there is a shortage of skills at the intermediate level, typically associated with the employment of technicians and similar types of jobs.

The paper examines why these roles are important to the UK's productivity and sets out recommendations to address these skills shortages. Our short policy brief summarises the paper.

Evidence Paper

Upskilling and reskilling adult workers - the problem of employer demand

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published December 2022)

Upskilling and reskilling adult workers - the problem of employer demand

The ReWAGE evidence paper Upskilling and reskilling adult workers - the problem of employer demand finds that there is an urgent need to upskill and reskill adult workers to enable the UK to meet new challenges facing its future prosperity and productivity. It analyses existing evidence to highlight the factors contributing to this ‘low-skill’ economy, setting out the challenges and potential solutions, and the important role that employers play. A summary can be found in our related policy brief.

Policy Brief

Eight actions to tackle the impact of the cost-of-living crisis

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published November 2022)

Eight actions to tackle the impact of the cost-of-living crisis

This ReWAGE policy brief finds that the current cost-of-living crisis is ‘unprecedented’ with a combination of high inflation, low wages and a drop in benefits that hasn’t been seen before.

It examines the causes and impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, and puts forward eight actions that would help to alleviate its devastating effects – potentially assisting millions of households who have seen their ‘real’ disposable income fall sharply since late 2021.

Evidence Paper

Review of Employment Charters in the English Mayoral Combined Authorities

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published September 2022)

Review of Employment Charters in the English Mayoral Combined Authorities

ReWAGE has undertaken a review of Employment Charters in the English MCAs to find out what commonalities have led to their successful development and launch; what leading-edge practice could be shared across England; how these charters could support the UK government in its policy development; and how the UK government could provide cross-charter underpinning support.

The sub-group's full evidence paper and a policy brief have now been published.

Evidence Paper

The end of free movement and the low-wage labour force in the UK

This evidence paper was led by the Migration Observatory in partnership with a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published August 2022)

The end of free movement and the low-wage labour force in the United Kingdom

The end of free movement has exacerbated recruitment issues faced by UK employers, a major new report from ReWAGE and the Migration Observatory at Oxford University has shown. However, Brexit is by no means the only reason for the shortages, and the pandemic, international sector-specific labour shortages, and an increase in early retirement have been more important factors.

The sub-group's full evidence paper and a short summary document have now been published.

Evidence Paper

Monitoring UK job quality – a feasibility study for developing a new approach

This evidence paper was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

(Published July 2022)

Monitoring UK job quality – a feasibility study for developing a new approach

A ReWAGE sub-group was convened to conduct a feasibility study into whether job quality can be measured using some of the information already available in large-scale national data sources such as the Annual Population Survey and the Census of Population, which would enable the government to demonstrate the impact of its Good Work Plan.

The sub-group's full evidence paper and a short summary document have now been published.

Policy Brief

Beyond the National Living Wage - Further Proposals for Addressing Low Pay

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

It was submitted to BEIS, DWP and DfE. (Published May 2022)

Beyond the National Living Wage – Further Proposals for Addressing Low Pay

The UK still has an enduring low pay problem and a growing problem of in-work poverty, which the current rise in inflation and cost of living will only exacerbate.

This policy brief from ReWAGE puts forward six sets of recommendations for changes in public policy to help the low-paid, which are focused directly on pay and the laws, regulations, institutions and practices which affect what people are paid.

Policy Brief

Recovering better - improving mental health in the workplace

This policy brief was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

It was submitted to BEIS and DWP. (Published May 2022)

Recovering better - improving mental health in the workplace

This policy brief argues that there is an urgent need to reduce rising levels of mental ill-health in the workplace and to help organisations retain and integrate employees with mental conditions.

In it, ReWAGE recommends that the government considers requiring employers to report on work-related risk factors for mental health in their annual company reports. These figures should include evidence from employees and be presented overall, by major occupational groups and by gender.

Consultation response

Addressing Disability Disadvantage in the Labour Market

This consultation response was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE and Disability@Work.

It was submitted to the Disability Unit. (Published April 2022)

Addressing Disability Disadvantage in the Labour Market - response to the Disability Unit

ReWAGE and Disability@Work have responded to the government's consultation on Disability Workforce Reporting.

Our response argues that the introduction of mandatory disability employment reporting could be a driver for change and would require employers to report the number of disabled people they employ as a percentage of their workforce.

Consultation response

Making flexible working the default - ReWAGE's consultation response

This consultation response was produced by a sub-group of ReWAGE.

It was submitted to BEIS. (Published December 2021)

Making flexible working the default - response to BEIS consultation

ReWAGE has responded to the government's recent flexible working consultationLink opens in a new window, which proposes reforms to the flexible working regulations first set out in 2014 and seeks views on wider work being undertaken by the government to encourage and support flexible working.

In its response, a ReWAGE sub-group said that there are very strong economic and equality arguments for making the right to request flexible working available to all employees from the first day of employment.

Policy Brief

Putting employment on the levelling up agenda

This policy brief was produced by ReWAGE's Levelling Up sub-group.

It was submitted to the government’s Levelling Up Taskforce and HM Treasury. (Published October 2021)

Putting employment on the levelling up agenda

This policy briefing focuses on three main areas:

• the need for the UK Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda to address employment inequalities between regions, within regions and between people if it is to be effective
• the need for regional ‘levelling up’ to focus on getting people into, and progressing to, better jobs
• a recommendation that a set of metrics should be developed to measure progress on employment levelling up

ESRC Covid-19 project groups Policy Briefs

Link to Policy Briefs

ESRC Covid-19 project groups Policy Briefs

The ESRC funded a number of projects carrying out Covid-related research. ReWAGE hosted a workshop in January 2022 for all the projects to meet and update each other on progress. Each of the projects produced a short Policy Brief summarising their activity, which we have published.