Menu
23/11/2011
Reducing Protections Will Not Save Jobs – Union
One of the UK's largest unions has hit out at proposals from the Business Secretary that would see workers losing a number of protections in the workplace.
On Wednesday afternoon, Vince Cable will set out a number of changes, such as "protected conversations", which would allow employers to have private conversations about performance without the right for these to be submitted to a tribunal.
Other adjustments include a "call for evidence" on the length of time required for a consultation period on planned redundancies from 90 days to 30.
There will also be a new requirement for all claims to go to the conciliation service Acas before reaching employment tribunal and options for a "rapid resolution scheme" for more simple cases to be settled within three months.
Mr Cable is expected to claim the government will save £10 million and benefit employers by around £40 million.
However, commenting on the proposals, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said that reducing protection for people at work would not save or create a single job.
"It's not employment law that is holding firms back, it's the tough economic climate," Mr Barber said.
He added that research from the OECD showed there was no link between regulation and economic output and pointed out that German employees had many more protections at work than the UK yet their economy was the strongest in Europe.
"At a time when thousands of jobs are under threat as a result of the government's austerity programme, reducing the time that organisations have to consult with their employees whose jobs are at risk of redundancy flies in the face of good sense.
"The move will have little impact on the company but it will make a huge difference to staff worried about their futures, increasing their stress at what can be a hugely traumatic time."
Mr Barber added that allowing conversations at work over difficult issues like retirement or poor performance to take place but not permitting their record to be referred to in a tribunal, was "hugely worrying".
"This could simply provide the perfect cover for rogue bosses to bully at whim without fear of ever being found out."
(DW)
On Wednesday afternoon, Vince Cable will set out a number of changes, such as "protected conversations", which would allow employers to have private conversations about performance without the right for these to be submitted to a tribunal.
Other adjustments include a "call for evidence" on the length of time required for a consultation period on planned redundancies from 90 days to 30.
There will also be a new requirement for all claims to go to the conciliation service Acas before reaching employment tribunal and options for a "rapid resolution scheme" for more simple cases to be settled within three months.
Mr Cable is expected to claim the government will save £10 million and benefit employers by around £40 million.
However, commenting on the proposals, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said that reducing protection for people at work would not save or create a single job.
"It's not employment law that is holding firms back, it's the tough economic climate," Mr Barber said.
He added that research from the OECD showed there was no link between regulation and economic output and pointed out that German employees had many more protections at work than the UK yet their economy was the strongest in Europe.
"At a time when thousands of jobs are under threat as a result of the government's austerity programme, reducing the time that organisations have to consult with their employees whose jobs are at risk of redundancy flies in the face of good sense.
"The move will have little impact on the company but it will make a huge difference to staff worried about their futures, increasing their stress at what can be a hugely traumatic time."
Mr Barber added that allowing conversations at work over difficult issues like retirement or poor performance to take place but not permitting their record to be referred to in a tribunal, was "hugely worrying".
"This could simply provide the perfect cover for rogue bosses to bully at whim without fear of ever being found out."
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 December 2004
UK-wide rise in time taken to save for first house
It takes first time buyers six months longer to save for a house deposit when compared to the first quarter of 2004 and one year nine months longer than in 1994.
UK-wide rise in time taken to save for first house
It takes first time buyers six months longer to save for a house deposit when compared to the first quarter of 2004 and one year nine months longer than in 1994.
27 February 2013
Over A Third Of UK Employees Opting Out Of Pension Scheme
The governments plan to boost workers retirement savings could be undone as research carried out for Aviva reveals more than a third of UK workers would opt out of any pension they are automatically enrolled into.
Over A Third Of UK Employees Opting Out Of Pension Scheme
The governments plan to boost workers retirement savings could be undone as research carried out for Aviva reveals more than a third of UK workers would opt out of any pension they are automatically enrolled into.
11 January 2005
NHS pension proposals anger trade union
The NHS employers group has announced controversial new pensions proposals, incurring the wrath of health service union Unison. The new proposals include increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65.
NHS pension proposals anger trade union
The NHS employers group has announced controversial new pensions proposals, incurring the wrath of health service union Unison. The new proposals include increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65.
11 May 2005
EU votes to bin working time opt-out clause
The European Parliament has voted to bin the opt-out clause in the working time directive. Citing health and safety grounds, the vote by members of the European Parliament could see the working time directive changed within three-years. However, the EU's Council of Ministers have yet to ratify the decision by the MEPs.
EU votes to bin working time opt-out clause
The European Parliament has voted to bin the opt-out clause in the working time directive. Citing health and safety grounds, the vote by members of the European Parliament could see the working time directive changed within three-years. However, the EU's Council of Ministers have yet to ratify the decision by the MEPs.
23 October 2015
MPs Urged To Do More For Disabled Workers
MPs are being called on to do more to help disabled jobseekers into work by the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson. The Minister said that members of parliament should take a more active role in matching disabled jobseekers with employers in their areas.
MPs Urged To Do More For Disabled Workers
MPs are being called on to do more to help disabled jobseekers into work by the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson. The Minister said that members of parliament should take a more active role in matching disabled jobseekers with employers in their areas.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of light drizzle. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast into western parts of Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry late in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
