I recall skimming over reports on proposals for the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill many months ago and having a chuckle as I didn’t think for one minute that they’d see the light of day, they were so ridiculous. With everything else that’s been going on I can’t say I’ve given the subject any further thought - and it was only when I received a copy of the Open Letter to Government on this very subject, that I realised that these business-bashing proposals weren’t a wind up by the Press and are likely to be going ahead. Yet another ‘head in hands’ moment then… When are our ‘leaders’ going to start thinking things through properly? 

  

Whether it will make any difference or not is anyone’s guess, (since none of the concerns raised by we ordinary folk in recent months appear to have been taken on board!) but I believe we should all be thanking our industry’s Dominic Ponniah and Malcolm Hills for having the gumption to call out the Government on its proposals, publicise our very valid concerns so well and encourage other businesses to join the cause by adding their signatures to the letter. Like all of the 100-plus signatories so far, I’m convinced that the Bill will have a devastating effect on our sector. 

  

A potential ‘Unfair dismissal’ claim against you from the first day of employment, when you’ve taken on someone who performed well during interview but during their first morning have shown that they were just blagging and clearly aren’t up to the job? Or your new employee isn’t the team player they’ve made themselves out to be and causes early upset in the workplace? And let’s not forget the potential for those that don’t want to work, to use the regulations to their advantage to make a quick buck! Statutory sick pay from day one – while acceptable in genuine cases, is also likely to be taken advantage of by the work-shy. Of course this new Bill, if it goes ahead as it is, will deter businesses, (many already reeling following the latest minimum hourly wage rises and National Insurance hikes) from hiring new employees! And of course it will likely force others to fold. 

  

To quote the Open Letter: "This additional burden will force some employers to reduce staff headcount or reduce their hours, turn down new contracts or even exit the market altogether." I couldn’t agree more and I urge you to read the piece in full further down the page and get your business involved. 

  

If you’re one of Cleanzine’s many thousands of overseas readers, I’d love to hear how our employment laws differ from yours and how they affect our sector. Are they supportive or do they cause you a myriad of seemingly unnecessary problems?