High Risk, No Reward: resolving employment rights problems in London
For too many Londoners, the process of resolving an employment issue can be complex and intimidating. The threat of losing income can mean that abuses like underpayment and discrimination often go unchecked.
If your employer isn't paying you properly, isn't providing a safe working environment or is treating you unfairly because of the kind of person you are, it can often be difficult to challenge this behaviour or find someone to support you. Some groups of Londoners face additional barriers to asserting their rights, for example if they speak limited English or they are on a low income.
As part of the Mayor's promise to make London a fairer city to work in, the Greater London Authority has published research which outlines some of the challenges workers face when it comes to enforcing their rights in the workplace.
The key research findings were:
- Language barriers prevent many Londoners from defending their rights at work.
- Migrant Londoners and those with No Recourse to Public Funds are often hesitant to engage with external enforcement bodies or support services to enforce their rights.
- Many participants involved in the research had already tried to find out how to resolve a problem at work, but it was unclear how to apply the information to their situation.
- In both hierarchical and informal workplaces, it was difficult for participants to raise concerns.
- Many participants, particularly those of Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, and those with disabilities, described how daily experiences of micro-aggressions or problematic language in the workplace acted as a constant reminder that they did not belong or were not protected by their employer.
- Participants would repeatedly refer to the mental and emotional impact of not being able to resolve an issue at work.
- Participants lacked hope that employers would be proactive to create informed and supportive environments to raise concerns.
What is the Mayor doing to help people with problems at work?
The Mayor's Employment Rights Hub provides information about different employment rights, plus details of what to do if you're having trouble at work. Its information is available in 20 languages.
The Mayor is encouraging employers to adopt good employment practice through his Good Work Standard. The Good Work Standard sets a benchmark which the Mayor wants every employer in London to work towards and achieve. It brings together best employment practice and links to resources and support from across London to help employers improve their organisations.
Find out more about the research
The research was delivered by ClearView Research using a co-creative qualitative research methodology.
The GLA are currently working with ClearView to find out how some of the report's recommendations can be applied in the future.
Need a document on this page in an accessible format?
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of a PDF or other document on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch via our online form and tell us which format you need.
It will also help us if you tell us which assistive technology you use. We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.