Detail
The ELSR also includes the Dispute Resolution Review (more information on this can be found under the legal update on this site entitled ‘DTI launches consultation on whether the statutory dispute resolution procedure should be abolished’). Other key proposals for reducing the costs of employment law are:
Guidance
In its response to the Simplification Review, EEF called for employers to have ready access to clear and simple guidance on employment regulation, focused on day-to-day issues. EEF believes that this would enable employees to quickly find out their rights and responsibilities, be confident that they are meeting them, and minimise their costs in doing so. In response, the DTI is moving to a “one-stop-shop” for basic business-focused advice on www.businesslink.gov.uk; working to improve the content and delivery of that guidance; and considering ways to increase awareness of it.
Employment Particulars
The provision of employment particulars has been identified as the single biggest administrative burden arising from employment law (£586m). While many have suggested that this figure is artificially high, EEF members did highlight keeping the statement up-to-date as a particular burden. DTI has found also that there is widespread duplication of particulars and written contracts: It has therefore created a web tool to assist in drawing up a statement of particulars.
‘Employment standard’
Success at Work and the DTI Simplification Plan mentioned an ‘employment standard’ to assist firms in understanding their minimum employment law responsibilities. The DTI is now developing a summary checklist for businesses of their employment responsibilities, linked to succinct guidance and a self-assessment tool on each element. EEF’s initial reaction is that this will be helpful to small firms but it should not be labelled a ‘standard’.
The DTI has appointed a Panel of Practitioners to advise it on other areas where it might usefully simplify employment law. EEF’s Director of Employment and Legal Affairs, Peter Schofield and Martin Flavell, Chairman of EEF’s Employment Policy Committee, are members of this Panel. If you have any ideas for simplifying employment law, please contact Peter Schofield.