The TUC has warned that the controversial practice of “fire and re-hire” has become widespread during the Covid-19 pandemic. A new poll of over 2,000 workers revealed that nearly 1 in 10 workers have been told to re-apply for their jobs on worse terms and conditions since the first lockdown in March. The poll also reveals that nearly a fifth of 18–24-year-olds say their employer has tried to re-hire them on inferior terms during the pandemic and 15% of BME workers have been faced with “fire and rehire” at nearly twice the rate of white workers. In addition, nearly a quarter of workers in Britain have experienced a downgrading of their terms during the crisis – including through reduced pay or changes to their hours. Reflecting a nationwide trend revealed in recent ONS statistics. around two-fifths (38%) of workers said they are worried about job security in the year ahead.
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