Craig Stuart's newest comments

Hi Peter

Yes - Trade Unions cover the legal costs of taking member's claims to tibunals. BUT - this is only after consideration by the union Solicitors as to whether the case has a good chance of success. Trade Union Solicitors do not fund claims of a vexatious nature as to do this could lead to heavy legal costs.

Ms Hill

You earn well above the national average wage. Try shopping in high street shops instead of boutiques and your pound will go further.

Are Greenwoods correct in their assumption? I hven't seen any exemptions metioned anywhere before.

Stephen, does 'free market principles' include the right to hire and fire without fairness?

What taxpayer savings do you refer to?

The worrying thing is that if Cameron has his way, this is just the type of Company that will be classed as 'low risk' and possibly exempt from many aspects of current legislation.

Bah Humbug!

It's no joke Cameron and it's hardly 'farcical'.

The only joke here is you and your government. Try speaking to the families and friends of those who have been killed, maimed or injured at work and then speak about the 'health and safety monster'.

Idiot.

Hi Allan

Fair point, but it does beg the quesion whether the millions that htwo earn is reinvested - particularly in the area of H&S information, instruction, training and supervision.

I agree that what the fitter did was against safe practice, but had this practice become the norm and therefore common place?

Mental health awareness is becoming a real necessity for line managers. The results of this survey mirror the reality in an increasing number of workplaces that I oversee.

If this problem is not addressed at the earliest possible stage then we are looking at a potential time-bomb, with a burnt-out workforce and people unable to live normal lives.

I would recommend awareness training to all who have managerial responsibility.

Quite right James.

Absolutely bang on John.

Martin,

You've made a very valid point there. Tipping the balance too far either way is always going to effect the relationship between employer and employee. As for a Victorian revival, I think we're certainly heading towards that. Apprentices on less than minimum wage (under the threshold for NI contributions so cannot build up any pension etc), fees for Tribunals, watering down of employment rights, attacks on health and safety legislation, savage cuts in the HSE, the list goes on and on.

I also agree with your comments Wayne. Maybe buying shares in whips and beeswax is the way forward?

Right again as always John.

Only this lot could make a complete hash of it all and still have the cheek to state that it's vital to the growth of the economy! How much has been spent on this mess?

If 'red tape' saves lives then why change it?

Very good John - I think I'll nick that!

Yes Stephen and while we're at it lets scrap:

- the minimum wage
- family friendly policy legislation
- the Equality Act
- maternity leave
- dignity at work
- health & safety legislation

Do all this and there will be no buyers - because it allows the employer to use fear and insecurity as a weapon to drive down terms, conditions and wages. The High street chains are already seeing the effects of the downturn and the economic 'strategy' of the current government.

It was the 'Free Market' and the actions of the banking sector that got us in this mess in the first place. No-one else.

It just goes to show that there are still people out there who do not quite understand the employment rights of their staff.

And a fine paper it is too.

John

I'm not sure whether you are right or not about the freebies - but then it would make sense to reward those who are volunteering their own time.

You do seem to be going off message slightly though.

Will - thank you very much. That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me this week!

Good point Gerald.

All forms of self-defeating behavior are unseen and unconscious, which is why their existence is denied.

John

Do you not think that the cost of the bonus will not be paid for many times over by the increase in passengers during the Olympics?

TFL are not ones for giving away money without doing the sums first.