Government plans attack on vulnerable workers

The following details have been supplied by the TUC

Sick workers and those wanting to seek redress for unfair dismissal are among those targeted in what has been dubbed the government's 'employers' charter'. Press reports suggest ministers, responding to pressure from the employer lobby, are intending to extend the period when employers can dismiss workers without being subject to a claim for unfair dismissal from one to two years.

The government is also understood to be considering introducing fees for workers taking claims to an employment tribunal and reducing the period when statutory sick pay is payable. TUC's Nicola Smith, writing in the union body's Touchstone blog, said if the sick pay changes are introduced 'this policy seems likely to be a Coalition own goal. While evidence shows that it will have no positive impact on employment rates, it does seem likely to lead to increased unemployment (as workers are required to leave jobs that they would currently have a greater chance of returning to) and a rise in social security expenditure.'

Commenting on the suggested changes to the tribunal system, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The government should stand firm in the face of the intense employer lobbying seen in recent weeks and leave employment tribunals to continue holding rogue employers to account and delivering justice for all workers who have been discriminated against or treated unfairly.'