New employment law will hit independents

Independents have criticised proposed changes to employment legislation, including introducing statutory procedures for disputes and an extension to parental leave, as disruptive and costly.
The changes to the Employment Bill are set to receive the Royal Assent this month.
Employees will be required to discuss a grievance with their employer before starting employment tribunal proceedings, and statutory dismissal and disciplinary and grievance procedures will form part of the contract of employment. Maternity and adoptive leave will increase to 26 weeksÕ paid leave and 26 weeksÕ unpaid available for those with more than one yearÕs service. The rate of Statutory Maternity Pay will rise 60 per cent to £100.
Two weeks of paid paternity leave of up to £100 per week will be introduced.
There is also a proposal for a statutory right to request a contract change for flexibility in hours, times and workplace in order to care for a child.
Independents optician spoke to said that the changes would hit them hard. One said: ÔThe cost of advertising, interviewing and training a temporary replacement, mistakes while they settle in and then the termination of their contract will all have to be met somehow out of no more business.Õ
Another said the impact of ÔlosingÕ his DO for up to one year would be ÔhugeÕ as unqualified people could not fill in and a locum would be costly. ÔThey would not have the relationship with clients and other staff that a small business such as ours relies upon,Õ he said.
ÔStatutory procedures for disputes could turn out to be a good idea, but I need to learn more. All these things increase costs, and itÕs the purchasing public who end up paying,Õ he added.
u More at www.dti.gov.uk/er