The Equality Act has been a welcome step forward for employment law but the recent contentious workplace reforms proposed by Vince Cable appear to be a step backwards.
There are a number of changes being proposed by Mr Cable but possibly the most controversial is a system where small business could dismiss employees in exchange for compensation without the employer having to provide a fair reason for the dismissal. In Mr Cable’s brave new world of employment law, employees of small firms could be prevented from making claims for unfair dismissal.
While the number of claims to the employment tribunal has increased over the past 3 years and small businesses are struggling with the increasing costs of defending these claims, is it reasonable to introduce measures which would create further divisions in the
workplace?
Maybe the issue for Mr Cable to consider during the consultation process about these new reforms, is whether packages such as government grants for HR training and cheaper insurance premiums for small businesses would be better solutions than creating a new system where an employee has the fear of being dismissed without a genuine reason?
Does Mr Clegg have any comment about these proposals?
