Strengthening workers’ rights through strategic media with IER
Freshwater helped the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) shine a legal spotlight on the UK’s Employment Rights Bill, which is making its way through Parliament. We’ve provided pro bono support to help position the IER as a credible and legally authoritative voice on how the Bill can be strengthened to better protect workers.
Sectors
Related services
National coverage
in The Daily Mail, The Daily Express and Personnel Today
Timed media activity
aligned with key parliamentary stages
Positioning as a credible voice
to comment on employment rights
The Employment Rights Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore workers’ rights and rebalance the power relationship between workers and employers. It’s been great to have Freshwater on board to help us drive awareness at this critical stage in the Bill’s journey.”
James Harrison, Institute of Employment Rights
Brief
The Employment Rights Bill has been described by government as the most significant upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. Yet legal experts from the IER have warned that, in its current form, the Bill leaves major gaps – failing to outlaw practices like fire and rehire and lacking proper enforcement measures.
While some business groups argued the Bill went too far and others welcomed it as balanced reform, the IER was keen to advocate for stronger legal protections. To do so, it needed to cut through a crowded media space and reach both policymakers and the wider public.
Delivery
Freshwater’s strategic media campaign focused on timing, credibility and legal clarity. We issued press releases and expert comment around key moments, including the third anniversary of the P&O Ferries scandal and the Bill’s Report Stage in March.
We provided media access to leading IER legal figures and supported the launch of an open letter signed by ten leading economists and labour lawyers. The letter dismantled claims that the Bill would harm economic growth – arguing instead that fairer employment laws are a driver of stability and productivity.
Freshwater also secured reactive comments to breaking news, including in the Daily Mail and Daily Express, helping the IER respond quickly to government amendments and align with the wider news agenda.
Throughout, we worked to elevate the IER’s legal analysis in a media environment where trade unions are often the first point of contact on workers’ rights issues.
Results
Freshwater’s work has helped bring the IER’s legal position into national view, with coverage across mainstream and trade press titles.
While the Bill is still progressing through Parliament, the media campaign has ensured the IER’s voice is part of the legal and political conversation – making a strong case for why UK employment law must go further to protect workers.