More than half of retail jobs could be affected by changes to guaranteed working hours. This could make it harder for shops to employ people, especially young part-time workers, the industry’s lobby group has warned.

Starting in April, the Employment Rights Act will protect workers’ sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave, and trade union recognition. Next year, guaranteed hours, flexible working, paid short-notice cancellations, and restrictions on fire-and-rehire practices will be implemented.

The British Retail Consortium argues that guaranteed hours protections should apply to contracts of eight hours a week or fewer, with a reference period of at least 26 weeks, ideally a year. This approach would reflect seasonal work patterns and address real issues without harming jobs.

Helen Dickinson from the British Retail Consortium supports job security reforms but warns that treating flexibility as a problem could reduce job opportunities. She urges balanced reforms to target bad practices while protecting flexible retail roles.

Paul Nowak, the general secretary of unions group the TUC, said: “the right to regular hours and a ban on “exploitative” zero-hours contracts will make a real difference to working people’s living standards. “It’s essential this government commitment is delivered in full.”