Does the Government read this blog?!
Wednesday, April 4th, 2007If you have been following my blog you will recall that I suggested that, for the good of UK Plc, the government should abolish some unfair dismissal law and get rid of the tiresome statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures!At the time the suggestion caused quite a stir and the government responded by saying that it had no plans to make any such changes.
Well, it might of course just be coincidence, but the DTI has just launched a consultation with a view to abolishing the statutory dismissal and grievance procedures!
The consultation follows a report from a bloke called Michael Gibbons on the “efficacy of the 2004 Regulations”. He commented, “I was struck by the overwhelming consensus that the intentions of the 2004 Dispute Resolution Regulations were sound and there was a genuine attempt to keep them simple. However they have had unintended consequences which have outweighed their benefits. “
Come on, admit it Michael. You have been reading my blog?! 
Key recommendations of the Gibbons report include repeal the statutory dismissal and grievance procedures (good); simplification of tribunal application forms (seeing will be believing); providing free mediation services for employment disputes (probably just a waste of public money); abolishing Acas fixed conciliation periods (good); and strengthening tribunal’s powers to award costs(about time too!).
Nice one!