Toggle high contrast
Issue date
There is no convincing evidence to suggest that the current rules on collective redundancy notice periods need to be relaxed, the TUC said in response to a government consultation published today (Thursday).
Title

date: 21 June 2012

embargo: For immediate release

There is no convincing evidence to suggest that the current rules on collective redundancy notice periods need to be relaxed, the TUC said in response to a government consultation published today (Thursday).

Commenting on the announcement from Employment Minister Norman Lamb, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The current 90-day consultation rules on redundancy are working perfectly well. Any reduction in the time period in which employers must consult with their workforce over potential job losses will make what is already a deeply unsettling time much more difficult for everyone involved.

'The government is in danger of confusing quality with quantity. Shortening the notice period will not lead to a better process. It takes time for unions and employers to consider carefully what alternatives there may be to job losses and what the impact on the remaining workforce will be. Unions have shown time and time again they understand the pressures that companies are under in a tough economic climate and have come up with many innovative ways of saving jobs.

'We are pleased however that the government is not intending to change the system for protective awards where employers fail to consult over planned redundancies.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

- Congress 2012 will be held at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 9 September to Wednesday 12 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 29 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £50. Please note that the Brighton Centre requires 60 days' notice for telephone line facilities. Details available on the link above.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

To access the admin area, you will need to setup two-factor authentication (TFA).

Setup now