Employer’s Charter aims to dispel employment law myths

Alongside its consultation on workplace disputes, the Government has today published an ‘Employer's Charter’, which, like the consultation, it says is designed to give businesses more confidence to take on workers.

The Employer’s Charter, published on the Business Link website, aims to “dismiss some of the myths about what employers can and can't do in managing their workforce”.

For example, it reminds businesses that they can ask an employee to take their annual leave at a time that suits their business and can ask an employee about their future career plans, including retirement. 

Tribunal claims rose to 236,000 last year – a record figure and a rise of 56% on 2009.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

"A critical element of the Government's growth strategy is to create the conditions which allow businesses, especially smaller businesses, to flourish and expand, by reducing regulation and maintaining a flexible and dynamic labour market.

“Today's announcements on reforms to employment law are among the first conclusions of our government-wide growth review, and highlight our determination to ensure that employment law is no longer seen as a barrier to growth, while making sure that employees and employers are treated fairly.

“Giving businesses the confidence to take on somebody new will be a real boost to the economy, and help generate the sustainable growth we need."

Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said:

“Disputes in the workplace cost time and money, can affect morale, reduce productivity and hold back businesses. We often hear that knife-edge decisions about whether to hire new staff can be swung by concerns about ending up in an Employment Tribunal if things don’t work out. Today’s proposals address these concerns and should help give employers more confidence.

“But let’s be clear – resolving disputes earlier is also in the interests of workers. No one wants to spend month after month worrying about a claim – we need to make what can be an extremely stressful time in people’s lives as short as possible.

“In the business world there is also a common misconception that employment protections are all one-way – towards the employee. The Charter we are publishing today tackles this myth by setting out clearly some of the most important rights that employers already have in the workplace.”