Commenting on the proposals to reform collective redundancy prcedures announced by Norman Lamb today, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:
“As they stand, the UK’s redundancy rules are outdated and damaging to Norfolk firms. Consulting for a quarter of a year to change the direction of a business is unnecessary and out of step with the modern world. Instead of thresholds and processes, the rules should encourage firms to focus on quality consultation with staff, and enable fair decisions in a swift timeframe. A shorter compulsory period of 45 days would allow quicker decision-making where the survival of the business could be at risk, such as following the loss of a major contract.
“Redundancy is always a last resort, but is sometimes necessary to save other jobs or prevent the business from failing. When tough decisions are necessary, businesses must be assured that the redundancy consultation process can be carried out efficiently, rather than being drawn out in a way that increases uncertainty for employers and employees alike.”
