Keep staff in the loop
Jan 27 2005
Groundbreaking legislation designed to harmonise relationships between bosses and employees has been announced by the Government.
The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations aim to reduce workplace disputes and discord by giving employees the right to be consulted on issues that affect them at work. Employers and staff will be able to agree consultation agreements adapted to their particular business circumstances.
Under the legislation it will be up to employees to ask for information and consultation arrangements to be introduced and if 10% of the workforce request it, employers are obliged to set up such a scheme. If employers do not abide by such arrangements, employees or their representatives can complain to the Central Arbitration Committee, and a penalty of up to £75,000 can be imposed.
"Information and Consultation is a real opportunity for greater partnership and understanding in the workplace and that can only be a win-win situation,” enthused Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe. “People can cope with bad news, change and all sorts of information and situations if they know what is happening - it is uncertainty that causes problems.”
To help smaller firms adjust to the change, the laws will apply to firms as follows:
Guidance on the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations has been published by the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) to help businesses implement them successfully. Click here to access it and more information on the regulations.
(27/1/05)