All businesses need to take note of the upcoming chances to future employment law but particularly the owner managed businesses and the so called SME sector as the changes are supposed to delivered employment benefits to this sector.
A poll of Employment Lawyers conducted by Contact Law has revealed the following facts on the future law relating to employment.
- 78% of employment lawyers believe the proposed employment law reforms announced last month by Vince Cable will lead to a ‘hire and fire’ culture within small businesses.
- 67% of employment lawyers surveyed do not believe the proposals are ‘workable’, with only 8% is in favour of all the changes
- 73% said they did not think the reforms would encourage SMEs to take on more staff,
- 63% did not think the changes would alter the way that small businesses deal with their staff.
- 33% of employment lawyers surveyed believe the reforms will lead to small businesses losing out on talent in the jobs market, with jobseekers deterred from considering small businesses when looking for employment because of concerns over job security.
- 75% of Lawyers were against ‘no fault dismissals’, in which employers could sack a staff member in exchange for compensation, without facing an unfair dismissal case
- 78% of Lawyers backed the introduction of a ‘rapid resolution scheme’, which would allow more simple cases to be settled within three months.
- 60% of employment lawyers were asked about current employment laws backed the existing system, stating it was not overcomplicated,
- Only 34% believe reforming employment laws would lead to a reduction in the number of claims being made.
Lawyers hate change and one wonders if the support of the status quo is a reaction to the challenge of change or a genuine expression of concern. Whatever individual Lawyers think future law is changing at an ever increasing pace.
Author: Chris Slay
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