Vote of no confidence in Government’s Red Tape Challenge

Posted 27/02/2012

HR professionals at Ashtons Legal’s HR Forum in Cambridge last Thursday passed a unanimous vote of no confidence in forthcoming changes proposed as part of the Government’s Red Tape Challenge. Delegates agreed that proposals being implemented this year would do nothing to relieve the burden on employers.

The Forum, which brought together over 60 HR professionals, advised delegates about how to deal with the nightmare employee and Ashtons Legal employment expert Caroline Banwell, spoke about forthcoming changes in employment law. Delegates agreed that increasing the length of service required for unfair dismissal claims from one to two years would be slow to take effect and would only result in employees seeking to obtain compensation by using alternative claims such as discrimination and whistleblowing claims – which are not dependent on an employee’s length of service. In addition, the effect of granting further powers to tribunals to stem frivolous claims was thought to be so insignificant as to be meaningless.

Speaking after the event, Hywel Griffiths, Head of Employment at Ashtons Legal said: “We expect better of the Government. The Prime Minister has pledged to take a dagger to the red tape which is tying business in knots and impeding economic recovery. Business leaders look to Government to make real changes to free up business, not cosmetic changes which have little real effect.”

If you are interested in attending future HR Forums, please contact Toby Whittacker-Cook on 01603 703094 or email toby.whittacker-cook@ashtonslegal.co.uk.