If you've already heard more than enough about politics lately, I can only apologise, but for us HR people its shaping up to be quite an interesting few weeks!

As the parties battle to win votes, most ride their election journey on changes and promises that affect the voting public as individuals and business operators but not always on the elements of their manifesto that affect businesses as employers.

A change in party will undoubtedly reshape the Employment Law landscape with the Labour Party so far having the most to say on the matter!

Here's an overview of the headlines and what we're keeping an eye on.

Labour Party

The Labour party were one of the first to publish their plans for changes to employment legislation and propose some potentially hard hitting changes for employers including:

• The removal of 2 years service for unfair dismissal claims making this a day one right – likely to be subject to a fair and transparent probationary period
• The extension of the time limit for bringing a claim to tribunal from 3 months to 6 months
• Scrapping exploitative zero hour contracts and providing the right for employees to have a contract which reflects the hours they regularly work
• Employment status changes with the creation of a single status of worker for anyone who is not self employed
• Introducing the right to disconnect – providing employees with the right to switch off outside of their contracted working hours
• Making Statutory Sick Pay available to everyone – removing the lower earnings limit for eligibility
• Raising the NMW to a minimum of £10 per hour for all workers including young adults
• Introducing a requirement for all new starters to be informed of their right to join a trade union
• Changes to make it easier for Unions to gain access to and recognition within workplaces
• Making flexible working a right, rather than just the right to request flexible working
• Introducing the right to unpaid bereavement leave (currently only available following the death of a child)

There's no doubt that the removal of the 2 years service for unfair dismissal claims will be a hot topic if this becomes more than just a proposal. Whilst it provides protection for employees from unscrupulous employers, it potentially makes life difficult for employers who treat people well and find themselves in the grasp of an unscrupulous employee!

Conservative Party

With the Conservative party holding office for the last 14 years and a number of changes recently introduced, they've had quite a lot of say already so their manifesto was lighter on employment changes, with a couple falling into tax rather than employment law.

• An overhaul of the 'fit note' system to move responsibilities from GP's to other healthcare professionals
• Cutting employees national insurance to 6% from 2027
• Abolish national insurance for self-employed people by the end of the next parliament.

So how quickly can things change?

In reality, it takes time to map out, consult on and implement changes but if there is a change of government and the Labour party take office, they will be under pressure to make visible changes quickly.

There is the chance that some of their manifesto pledges on employment law will feature in their first 100 day plan with the most likely immediate focus on the Trade Union changes.

There a definitely key themes on minimum wage, zero hour contracts, employment status and day one rights appearing high on the agendas, so at this stage its very much a case of 'Watch this space'!