Read to the end for a bitter bar-fight in Glasgow, why Italy might finally introduce a minimum wage, and of course, and some of Barbie's sparkle.

Morning team, 

Working wherever and whenever you want - is it too much to ask? Apparently not, according to a new bill that has received royal assent, granting all employees the right to request flexible working the minute they start a new job. 

It’s been a long time coming, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill. For a period it looked like the idea was being kicked into the long grass by Boris Johnson and Co who cancelled plans for an Employment bill, and seemed intent on bringing workers back to the office where, he claimed, they were “more productive, more energetic, more full of ideas”.

Working parents, carers, and people with disabilities have celebrated the win, though many still point out that since an employer can deny a request if they “have sound business reasons to do so”, it’s largely impotent. Here’s what the law means in practice and how you might be able to use it to improve your working life. 

For those in hospitality, however, there are few freedoms to decide when and where to work, which may go some way to explaining why the industry is facing the worst staffing crisis in years. 

A popular Glasgow bar and music venue, 13th Note, has announced its closure and job losses for 18 staff members following a bitter battle for union recognition. Staff, represented by Unite, have been fighting for better pay and working conditions, while the owner has claimed the union bullied her with “false and damaging” media stories.

With workers fighting for basic working conditions, it’s no surprise a career in hospitality is becoming less appealing. For the perspective of the owner, read this from Matilda Davies at The Times. For the perspective of the striking former employees, read this from Ella Glover for Tribune. 

Do you think the flexible working bill goes far enough? Will it change your life at work? Let me know on evie.breese@bigissue.com.

If you know someone who will love this newsletter, share our sign-up article with them and your social networks. It'll make their day.

What you need to know about work this week:

Downhill slope. New research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found there has been no significant improvement in the quality of jobs in the UK in the past four years and, in some respects, job quality has worsened. The CIPD is calling on the government to focus on improving the quality of work to increase engagement and positivity.

Please apply. The number of job vacancies has risen for the fifth month in a row, making employees in high demand and boosting salaries, data from the search engine Adzuna showed. This means that companies are still struggling to hire the staff they need. (£)

Product of punishment. The Jobcentre Plus’ punitive approach is holding back workforce recovery, according to new analysis by the Institute for Employment Studies and abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. Delphine Strauss at the FT has the write up (£).

Robot managers. Campaigners and researchers are raising fears that the The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, recently introduced to parliament, will water down protections for gig economy workers. They say the bill loosens the current requirements on companies to explain automated decisions around things like warnings or dismissals. Kevin Rawlinson has the report for The Guardian.  

Acting up. Hollywood actors and writers are on strike, and it will likely delay the release of some of your favourite shows. Trade unionist, actor and comedian Rob Delaney spoke to Taj Ali at Tribune about the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike following last Friday’s solidarity rally in London’s Leicester Square Gardens. 

McAbuse. Following a BBC investigation that found widespread allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at fast-food franchise McDonalds, PM Rishi Sunk has said victims should talk to the company's complaints process. Many employees told the BBC that they did, but no action was taken. The disinterest is palpable.

Strike watch

NHS radiographers are undertaking their second day of consecutive strike action today, following the government's "final" offer of a 5% pay rise and one-off sum. 

In a rare positive development, the RMT has suspended the tube strikes in London. The union announced it is making progress in negotiations with Transport for London over pensions and jobs.

Take a look at our comprehensive list of upcoming strike dates.

A global solution 🇮🇹

In Italy, employers can pay their staff as little as they like. The country doesn’t have a minimum wage - my mouth dropped open on discovering this, too. But with the news that wages fell by 7.5% at the end of last year, the country’s far-right leader may be forced to consider introducing one. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has frequently ruled out introducing a minimum wage in the past, but said on Tuesday that she is ready to discuss the idea with “responsible” opposition parties. 

With some workers’ collectives in Italy providing a minimum wage higher than the €9 (£7.73) pushed for by opposition parties, she asked: “What are the chances that, if applied, the minimum wage becomes a parameter for lowering workers' wages?" Read more from Reuters. 

Working culture

This Barbie would like to have choices. While Barbie Land might, at first glance, seem to present the future the feminists want – one where traditional gender roles are flipped, with construction sites dominated by women, the supreme court free from men, and the Kens staying meekly at home – it isn’t that simple. 

Director Greta Gerwig took on the mammoth task of portraying female empowerment against patriarchy through the eyes of Barbie, Ken and their friends, while still keeping the lighthearted playfulness of childhood. Barbie makes some fantastic (fairly simplistic, but necessary) points about how women are expected to both be a Girl Boss at work and pop out children, and not complain in the process. But at the end of the day, it’s still a movie about a girl boss doll with 58 different careers, and the critical undertones are secondary to that. It’s also ok to simply revel in its sparkle. 

Barbie is showing at cinemas now.

Enjoying this newsletter? Check out Survival Guide, our newsletter on the cost of living crisis from my colleague Isabella McRae. We also have a cost of living help Facebook group with money-saving tips and positive stories..

In the diary

Saturday 29 July. Final day of RMT train strikes.

Event: Troublemakers at Work: Grassroots Trade Unionists conference 2023.

Monday 31 July. Train drivers with Aslef will refuse to work overtime until Saturday 5 August.

Friday 4 August. Gatwick airport staff start a second block of strike action, until Tuesday 8 August.

Thursday 24 August. NHS consultants walk out for two days.

Wednesday 27 September. Creating a Good Jobs economy, lecture by Professor Dani Rodrik, at The Resolution Foundation.

Animals with jobs 

If you need a bit of moral support this week, here’s the cat for the job. Take a deep breath, paws, and give this kitty a high-five.

Does your cat/dog/garden fox/animal you saw on holiday participate in the daily grind? Nominate them today by sending me a photo to: evie.breese@bigissue.com

This week's Big Issue magazine

Find your local vendor or sign up for a subscription.