BUSINESS Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has denied a rift with Deputy PM Angela Rayner — but said the Government will resist giving firms a set timeframe for workers’ rights over probation. The fudge comes as Labour sets itself a 100-day deadline to reveal its radical reforms for staff in an employment bill linked to its “ Make Work Pay ” manifesto pledges. The changes target “zero-hours” contracts , probationary periods, giving employees rights from day one and default flexible working.
There had been reports that after tensions between Mr Reynolds and Ms Rayner on probationary periods, the two were planning to allow companies to keep new staff on probation for six months. Mr Reynolds told The Sun in an exclusive interview in Manchester the bill will include a “maximum period” for probation, but this will be consulted on with firms after it is set out by October 12. He said: “We’ll consult on the timescales because it’s a very variable practice.
read more on business "I mean some jobs see probation periods for a month, for some it’s a year.” And he claimed: “Honestly, there is no disagreement between me and Angela.” But the Secretary of State did imply he was not as swayed by union demands.
He said: “I’m the voice of business in the Cabinet. Most read in Business "I have a lot of information, more so than other colleagues, about what businesses are facing. "So I always feel my role is to put that across.
” Mr Reynolds acknowledged probationary.