In particular, speaking about the announcement that the Government is to go ahead with legislation on more flexible working, Peter O’Grady, Head of Representation at EEF West Midlands, said:
“The statement by the Prime Minister that flexible working laws have not created a burden on business runs contrary to the views of businesses in the West Midlands. Our recent survey found a majority of companies have experienced practical problems with implementing the current legislation and are opposed to extending the right to request flexible working beyond those employees already covered.”
“It is true that manufacturers have seen benefits from the introduction of flexible working, but the last thing they need now is to have to consider more and more requests. They need to be given time before this right is extended to a greater number of employees. If it is extended, they are more likely to say ‘no’ and some people who really need to work flexibly could then miss out.”
EEF was also concerned at the Government’s attempts to push ahead with the Temporary Agency Workers Directive. They believe the French Government, during its Presidency of the EU, will attempt to link the review of the Working Time Directive with the Temporary Agency Workers Directive, in order to broker a deal between Member States.
Peter O’Grady added:
“The UK could be asked to drop its call for a longer agency worker qualifying period in return for maintaining the individual opt out. With Gordon Brown under pressure from his own MPs to introduce new rights for agency workers in the UK, it looks like he will accept the compromise.”
On the proposals to extend the amount of time employees can have off work for training, EEF says this on its own will not result in improved skills.
“Any moves to raise individuals’ involvement in their skills development cannot be introduced in isolation. It is more important to ensure that training is of high quality and done in a structured way to make sure that the employee and the company derive full benefit from the time and money invested.”
EEF West Midlands is the largest employers’ association in the region
, representing primarily engineering, manufacturing and technology-based organisations
.
Serving its member companies is a team of over 160 staff providing a wide range of experience and expertise.
Their HR and Legal team supports and advises on HR issues including employment law and employee relations and handles hundreds of employment tribunals for their members annually. Safety and Environmental Services, the health and safety division of EEF West Midlands, also provides expert support to its members.
At their Technology Centre in Birmingham and the Conference and Training Centre in Leamington Spa, EEF West Midlands help develop the workforce required for businesses to succeed at all levels. This includes training 80% of all engineering apprentices in the Birmingham and Solihull area through to management development and nationally accredited courses for health, safety and environmental practitioners.
Nationally and across the region, EEF provides a powerful voice for its members.