Partnership approach to flexible working receives government support

The Government has allocated funds of £1.2m to employers in an attempt to help them promote flexible working and tackle industrial disputes.  The funding is aimed at improving relations between staff and management and encouraging a more partnership based approach within the workplace.

The new Employment Bill 2001 - covered in depth on the Workplacelaw Network - provides for increased unfair dismissal compensation where internal dispute resolution procedures have been ignored.  In future there are also likely to be serious penalties where the workforce is not consulted about important matters affecting employment.  

It is clear that the Government intends to bring about significant cultural shifts in UK workplaces towards flexible working, greater workplace consultation and early internal dispute resolution.  Employers are advised to take early steps of their own, in readiness for legislation as it arrives.

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