EU Plans Give Staff Greater Say!

For the first time in the UK employees are to have a general right to request that their employer inform and consult with them on issues affecting the business in which they work.

The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations come into force on 6 April 2005 for employers with more than 150 employees. The Regulations have the potential to dramatically change employee relations in the UK. They also raise a number of important strategic and tactical issues for employers. It is crucial that employers are aware of, and are adequately prepared for, this major development.

Broadly speaking, the Regulations do not oblige an employer to take any action to establish information and consultation arrangements unless a request is received from 10% of the workforce in any six month period. Importantly, this threshold can be raised where the employer has a Pre-existing Agreement.