Proposals for exclusivity clause ban to be widened

Legislation is due to be laid before Parliament “later this year” to widen the ban on exclusivity clauses.

Exclusivity clauses prevent workers and employees from working for other entities or under other contracts, other than the one containing the clause.

At present, exclusivity clauses are banned in zero hours contracts, meaning that if you are not guaranteed any hours of work, you may not be prevented from working elsewhere.

The government intends to widen this protection so that it applies to all staff where the guaranteed weekly income is the Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123) or less.

At present, that only equates to about 13 hours’ work a week at minimum wage but does affect approximately 1.5 million workers in the UK and the ban will help to ensure that more workers are able to top up their income and promote their own living standards, whilst retaining flexibility in their working hours.

Contact our employment law solicitors today

If you have any questions or would like advice on exclusivity clauses, please get in touch with our specialist Employment Law team through this website or by calling 0330 404 0768.

Our partners at Ashtons HR Consulting are also on hand to assist you.