The latest Red Kite Law column from the Carmarthen Journal

‘The Business Brief’ is the new column from Red Kite Law in the Carmarthen Journal.
This week, Employment Law Partner Donna Purchase, puts the spotlight on Employment Tribunal Reforms.
Regulatory and legal burdens placed on businesses across the UK is an emotive subject.
This 'red tape' has in part arisen from the plethora of employment legislation passed in recent years, whether it is the UK's Equality Act or the Agency Workers Regulations derived from European law.
Whatever the source, legislation has proved controversial and many people argue that it is suffocating British businesses and contributing to the state of the UK economy.
Before the 2010 General Election, the Conservatives summarised their policy on employment law as "Simplifying employment law to make it easier to hire people". The government has recently taken a step towards achieving this by announcing employment law reforms.
These reforms are described as the most radical reforms to the employment law system for decades. Seemingly, the changes will not only make it easier to hire, but to fire as well. Among other proposals, the Government will:
* require all employment disputes to be offered pre-claim conciliation;
* introduce employment tribunal fees paid by employees before bringing a claim;
* increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal to two years from April 2012;
* examine ways to simplify dismissal processes, including the concept of 'protected conversations' regarding an employee's performance or conduct;
* consult on introducing 'no fault' dismissals for small businesses;
* consult on reducing the minimum period of redundancy consultation to 60, 45 or 30 days; and
* change Criminal Records Bureau checks so that individuals can transfer checks from one job to another.
It is easy to see how these changes will benefit employers and relieve the burden on the taxpayer.
Some concern is, however, voiced about whether the rights of employees are being eroded in the name of stimulating UK private sector growth.
Such claims are denied by the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, and we look forward to a healthy debate on the subject.
If you have any queries regarding any employment law issues, please contact Donna Purchase, on 01646 689327 or at donna.purchase@redkitelaw.co.uk
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