date: 7 December 2007
embargo: For immediate release
TUC welcomes Employment Bill
The TUC welcomes the publication of the Employment Bill today (Friday). TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'The Bill will get rid of much of the unnecessary red tape in workplace grievance and disciplinary procedures. It will ensure that workers who have been caught out by the complicated process of applying to take a grievance to a tribunal and who have made minor technical mistakes along the way are no longer barred from getting their cases heard.
'It is important that the Government now takes steps to encourage employers to make more use of internal procedures to resolve workplace disputes and avoid costly litigation. The new legislation must be accompanied by an effective ACAS Code of Practice, setting out guidance for both employers and employees on the steps they should follow when problems arise at work.
'The TUC also welcomes the Government's decision to introduce changes in dismissal cases that will ensure employers cannot ignore workplace procedures, and that they conduct appropriate investigations before sacking a member of staff.'
The Bill will also increase the fines paid by rogue employers who do not pay the national minimum wage and introduce unlimited fines for employment agencies that treat agency workers unfairly. In addition to simplifying workplace dispute resolution procedures, it will also strengthen the rights of unions to exclude or expel far right activists, following Aslef's landmark victory before the European Court of Human Rights in November.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Press release (400 words) issued 7 Dec 2007
