Nockolds Resources

Vince Cables Speech to the EEF on Employment Law Reform.

Following the Governments review of Employment Legislation, Vince Cable yesterday outlined a ‘package of measures’ which could lead to radical changes in Employment Law in an attempt to reduce the number of Employment Tribunal Claims which has risen 44% since 2008-2009.
Mr Cable set out 17 proposals. The main ones being:


1. Increasing the qualifying period for an employee to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal to increase from 1 to 2 years in April 2012.

2. The introduction of fees for bringing an Employment Tribunal  claim.

3. For all claims to be lodged through ACAS for an attempt at conciliation before claims are lodged with an Employment Tribunal.

4. Financial penalties for employers who breach employment rights.

5. Consultation on the introduction of ‘protected conversations’ which would allow discussions with respect to issues such as retirement without the discussion becoming evidence at any future Tribunal Hearing.

6. Consultation on the reduction of time for consultation on Collective Redundancies

  • Mr Cable also set out a number of proposals in his speech that had previously not been disclosed. These include:
  1. For CRB checks to become ‘portable’ from 2013
  2. Consultation on a ‘no-fault’ dismissal for businesses with 10 or less employees making it easier for small business to deal with dismissals.
  3. A ‘Slimming down’ of the current dismissal process to provide a simpler quicker process for small businesses
  4. A proposal to extend the right to request flexible working and parental leave.

Mr Cable also announced that there is to be a fundamental review of the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure which currently determine each step of the procedure of bringing a claim from starting the claim through to a full Hearing or the withdrawing of the claim.

In the drawing up of these proposals the Government has considered 159 Employment Law Regulations and is looking to either merge, simplify or indeed ‘scrap’ 40 % of them, however some of the proposals will lead to requirement of new Legislation and the interpretation of such new laws.

If you would like any further information with respect to any of the proposals or on any employment issue contact our employment team on: 01279 712 501 or email Bev on bmoseley@nockolds.co.uk

Bev Moseley (profile) Bev Moseley Wednesday 23rd November 2011
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