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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 5m

Such a great piece from @tbij.bsky.social that highlights how difficult it is for workers to access and enforce their rights - it shows truly staggering figures of non-payment of tribunal awards by employers, and that's not even counting the personal cost to workers.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism @tbij.bsky.social · 6d

Last year, Nadine made headlines after she was awarded £65,000 for unfair dismissal by Peckham Levels

Preparing for the tribunal cost Nadine her health – but she has yet to see the money

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 9d

Full report here: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...

Increasing job security: The potential impact of employment rights reforms in the UK - Lancaster University

New in-depth research from the Work Foundation that highlights the potential of the Employment Right Bill to drive up levels of job security in the UK.

www.lancaster.ac.uk

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 9d

Very pleased to see my analysis of the impact on insecure work of two key reforms in the Employment Rights Bill covered by the Guardian today! Full report on the @workfoundation.bsky.social website (link in comment below).

More than 1m UK workers to gain more rights under employment bill, says thinktank

Work Foundation says key elements of bill promote secure jobs amid fierce business lobbying against legislation

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jul 27

Zero-hours contracts: peers accused of ‘trying to block stronger UK workers’ rights’

Lords ‘doing bidding of bad bosses’, says TUC, amid growing campaign by business leaders to water down Labour’s plans Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers have been accused of trying to block stronger rights for millions of workers amid a growing campaign by business leaders to water down Labour’s zero-hours contract plans. In a blow for the government, the Lords last week voted to curtail the manifesto promise to give workers a right to a guaranteed hours contract and day-one protections against unfair dismissal. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · Jun 24

Ahead of a crucial vote on cuts to disability benefits, our new evidence casts doubt on whether jobs are even available for disabled people facing cuts 📢

The analysis found that the parts of the country among the hardest hit by the cuts have fewer job opportunities 1/3

"Cutting disabled people's benefits won't magically create suitable jobs, particularly in those parts of the country that have long had weaker jobs markets. It's little wonder so many disable people are fearful of the impact of the government's cuts" - Abby Jitendra, Principal Policy Adviser

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

In a weakening labour market, we need a safety net that supports—not penalises—those seeking secure, good quality work. The Chancellor must rethink cuts that hit the most vulnerable hardest.
Full article @workfoundation.bsky.social here: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
(6/6)

Weakening labour market should urge the Chancellor to rethink benefit cuts in tomorrow’s Spending Review - Lancaster University

This month’s labour market statistics suggest a challenging labour market for job seekers, with increased competition and reduced opportunities for good quality, secure jobs.

www.lancaster.ac.uk

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

Cuts to health-related benefits, such as PIP, are being pushed ahead of promised employment support or job quality reforms. The government’s own estimates show more will be pushed into poverty than helped into work. This sequencing is backwards. (5/6)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

I'm increasingly concerned about job quality. Temporary work is at an 18-month high, with 1 in 4 workers in temp jobs doing so involuntarily. Meanwhile, record numbers are juggling second jobs to make ends meet. That’s not a sign of a healthy economy. (4/6)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

Older workers (50–64) face particular barriers. While more are re-entering the labour market, nearly 1 in 5 who did so in the last year still haven’t found work. This group needs tailored support—not increased pressure through benefit cuts. (3/6)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

The number of jobseekers out of work for over a year rose by 68,000—highlighting that many are not just struggling, but stuck. This kind of long-term unemployment undermines wellbeing and future job prospects. (2/6)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Jun 10

Today’s stats paint a picture of a weakening labour market. Unemployment is rising (4.6%), vacancies are falling, and more people are returning to the labour market—often out of necessity, not opportunity. This should be a red flag ahead of tomorrow’s Spending Review. 🧵(1/6)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 14

Really pleased to be featured in @the-independent.com yesterday in response to the rise in zero-hour contracts.

Contary to some expectations, employers are not (yet) dropping zhc's ahead of the Employment Rights Bill coming in.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home... @workfoundation.bsky.social

More than one million people still on zero-hours contracts, data shows

Some 1.17 million people are on the contracts in the UK, growing by 12 per cent in the past year despite the upcoming Employment Rights Bill

www.independent.co.uk

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

Read the full analysis here: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat... @workfoundation.bsky.social

Labour market at a crossroads: are we ready for rising job demand? - Lancaster University

The UK labour market headline figures appear stable on the surface, but underneath, pressure is building. This month’s labour market data reveals early warning signs that policymakers shouldn’t ignore...

www.lancaster.ac.uk

Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

📣 We’re at a crossroads.

More people are ready to work — but is the labour market ready for them?

Policymakers need to focus not just on participation, but on ensuring the right kinds of jobs exist: secure, suitable, and sustainable. Otherwise, we risk deepening the cycle of precarity.

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

⚠️ Insecure work is also on the rise. Zero-hours contracts are up 130k in a year — 81% of these new contracts are held by women.

Despite the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, many employers are doubling down on this one-sided flex — often at the expense of security.

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

🧩 Economic inactivity has fallen slightly to 21.4%. More people want to work — nearly 2 million now say they’re open to jobs.

But here’s the catch: there’s a growing risk of mismatch. Demand is rising, but opportunities (and job quality) are lagging.

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

📉 Vacancies continue to decline, now below pre-pandemic levels.

This isn’t just about rising labour costs — though those matter, especially in low-wage sectors. Structural changes in industries like retail and care also play a key role.

The jobs people need aren’t always the jobs available.

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · May 13

🔎 The UK labour market appears steady — but beneath the surface, pressure is building.

This month’s ONS figures show employment holding at 75%, but early indicators suggest we may be heading for turbulence. Let’s unpack what’s happening. 🧵

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · May 13

Comment from our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on zero-hour contract data from the ONS ⬇️

“Today’s data indicates a marked increase in the use of zero-hour contracts in the last year. There are now 1.17 million zero-hour contract workers, the second highest level on record. (1/7)

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Apr 28

Spot on, @jonburton.bsky.social! Workers can remain stuck in insecurity for many years, with detrimental impacts on earnings, health and future opportunities - and ultimately the economy.

Read the blog here: blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/no-progress-...

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · Apr 9

Our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social recently spoke to HR360 about the Government's flagship Employment Rights Bill and what it could mean for workers and employers.

hr-360.co.uk/leadership-i...

Here are the three top takeaways (1/4):

Leadership Interview: The Employments Rights Bill, does it go far enough? - HR360

Dive into our interview with Rebecca Florisson from Work Foundation (she is also one of our advisory board members at HR360) as she unpacks the Employment Rights Bill—its potential to tackle

hr-360.co.uk

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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · Mar 27

Yesterday's #SpringStatement was costed & found to push 250,000 more people into poverty by 2029/30—including 50,000 children. Today, new gov analysis shows 28% of children already live in material deprivation. Austerity isn't over. It's deepening. www.gov.uk/government/s...

Households Below Average Income: an analysis of the UK income distribution: FYE 1995 to FYE 2024

www.gov.uk

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

Sharon Wright @profsharonwright.bsky.social · Mar 26

Spread the word! Exciting new fully funded PhD opportunity to research disabled people's lived experiences of benefit reform and the costs of disability.
Deadline: 10 April
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @sgsss.bsky.social @clemmiehilloconnor.bsky.social

https://www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentship/disabled-peoples-lived-experiences-of-benefit-reform-and-the-costs-of-disability/
ESRC-funded Supervisor-led Studentship
Disabled People's Lived Experiences of Benefit Reform and the Costs of Disability
University of Glasgow
Supervisors: Professor Sharon Wright, Professor Charlotte Pearson, Dr Clementine Hill O'Connor
Deadline 10 April, 5pm BST
References due 16 April, 5pm BST
To apply go to apply.sgsss.ac.uk
Picture of historic stone Glasgow University building with green grass, trees and sunshine.

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Reposted by Rebecca Florisson

Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · Mar 26

Earlier today, our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social
responded to the Department for Work and Pensions's impact assessment of the health & disability benefit cuts⬇️

Read the full statement here: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...

Comment on DWP welfare reform impact assessment - Rebecca Florisson (Principal Analyst, Work Foundation at Lancaster University)

“On the one hand freezing the level and constraining access to some benefits will provide a short-term saving, but at a great human cost with the DWP estimating that an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be in relative poverty in 2029/30 as a result of the measures."

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