Call for Action: The Role of Business Psychologists in the New Labour Government’s Vision

Authored by: ABP Chair Claire Lish

The recent landslide victory of the Labour Party under Prime Minister Keir Starmer marks a significant shift in the UK’s political landscape, promising substantial reforms in workers’ rights and employment practices. As the Association for Business Psychology (ABP), we call for collaboration between the new government and business psychologists, emphasising our crucial role in shaping the future of workforce experience.

The ABP’s Vision for Collaboration

The ABP champions a collaborative approach to implementing Labour’s ambitious employment law changes. We believe that Business Psychologists have a crucial role in this transformation, leveraging our expertise to support the development of policies that enhance both organisational performance and the quality of working lives. Our commitment to evidence-based practice and improving workplace experiences is essential to fostering a more productive and resilient workforce.

The ABP’s Call to Action

The ABP is committed to working closely with the new government, employers, and trade unions to ensure that the forthcoming changes are both effective and sustainable. Our mission is to apply evidence-based psychological principles to improve workplace practices, fostering environments where both individuals and organisations can thrive. We echo the CIPD‘s call for a consultative approach and also stand ready to contribute our unique insights into human behaviour at work.

Labour’s proposed reforms, including extending employment rights, banning exploitative practices, and enhancing trade union powers, require not only legal adjustments but also significant shifts in organisational culture and management practices.

Business Psychologists are uniquely positioned to facilitate these changes through:

• Advising: Offering unbiased, scientifically credible perspectives on people issues at work.
• Diagnosis: Using social scientific research methods to understand organisational challenges.
• Design: Creating tailored solutions to improve employee selection, engagement, and overall workplace wellbeing.
• Delivery: Implementing solutions through facilitation, ensuring that changes are integrated smoothly and effectively.
• Evaluation: Providing evidence of the benefits of interventions, ensuring continuous improvement.

In line with Labour’s 100-day legislative agenda, the ABP identifies the following priority areas where Business Psychologists can make a significant impact, including but by no means limited to:

• Workplace Culture and Engagement: Ensuring that the expansion of workers’ rights translates into positive, productive workplace cultures.
• Leadership Development: Training leaders to navigate the new regulatory landscape and to foster inclusive, supportive environments.
• Health and Wellbeing: Addressing the mental health crisis through evidence-based interventions and supporting the government’s focus on enhancing NHS services.

The ABP’s Commitment to a Collaborative Future

The ABP stands ready to collaborate with the new government, employers, and trade unions to create a future where work is both meaningful and productive. We advocate for a partnership-based approach, recognising the importance of working together to enhance workforce experiences and improve working lives. Our efforts in this direction have the potential to significantly boost productivity across UK workplaces.