Businesses are asked for their views on workplace dismissal rules

The Government is asking businesses to express their views and concerns about workplace dismissal rules.

The move is part of the wide ranging Employment Law Review, which aims to assess the awareness, understanding and the use of the ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance.

The Review will also look at the idea of compensated no-fault dismissal for micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

The Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “We are already implementing a radical package of reforms to the employment tribunal system and increasing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from one to two years. These are all measures that will help improve the way businesses hire, manage and end a working relationship.

“But we also recognise that not all jobs work out for both parties – the staff member doesn’t quite fit or simply the relationship has irretrievably broken down. And for micros in particular, who often don’t have legal or HR teams, the process to let a staff member go can be a daunting and complicated process.

“This is an effort to see how extensive the problem is and shed some light on the desire for a change to the rules.”

The Government wants to hear from businesses, employees and other interested parties.

Please contact Robert Bedford if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of employment law.