Several Chamber members have submitted their concerns regards Labour’s planned Employment Rights Bill.
The issues included:
• A lack of detailed consultation on wide ranging changes to Trade Union powers. Businesses are keen for further consultation on the new laws which will make the recognition process easier for unions, lower the voting threshold for taking industrial action, and halve the notice period for unions to inform employers they are about to take action.
• Greater restrictions and penalties for firms who need to make workforce changes. Businesses feel proposals on zero hours contracts are mainly sensible, allowing workers to enjoy this flexibility when it suits them. But the requirement to offer guaranteed hours after only 12 weeks, could be disastrous for firms who need to respond to seasonal and fluctuating demand – especially those in hospitality and agriculture.
• More responsibilities, costs and complexity for employers. There are concerns that increased restrictions for firms who need to make changes to the workforce – together with the ramping up of financial penalties for those who make mistakes in the process – could be crippling for SMEs.
The Bill includes some of the most significant and wide-ranging changes to employment laws for decades. Employers are concerned that major decisions have been taken and written into the Bill without detailed consultation with business.
