News Stories

BCC and Brabners Chaffe Street join forces for employment law report
24/03/2010

Employment law specialists at Brabners Chaffe Street have worked with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to advise them ahead of the release of their latest report which calls for an urgent overhaul of the UK`s tribunal system.

`Employment regulation: up to the job?` is being published by the BCC this week and argues that basic workplace protections have been supplemented with burdensome rights to request, extended time-off provisions, and unreasonable health and safety restrictions.

Members of Brabners Chaffe Street`s 21-strong employment law team have been working with the BCC since July of last year.

As well as advising on complex areas of employment law and discrimination legislation, they also attended meetings held across the UK to discuss the need for simplification and concerns of Chamber members.

First Secretary of State Lord Mandelson and Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke will be challenged with the report`s findings and recommendations for reducing the burden of employment red tape when they meet to debate at the BCC`s annual conference tomorrow (18 March).

Paul Chamberlain, partner and head of employment at Brabners Chaffe Street`s Manchester office, said: "This report is based on months of research and consultation with businesses, many of which feel that current employment law is a burden and weighted too far in favour of the employee.

"Our team worked with the BCC to provide a legal perspective on current legislation and proposals from Chamber members."

Dr Adam Marshall Director of Policy, BCC added: "This report indicates just how strongly the business community feel about the volume and complexity of employment legislation in the UK.

"We wanted to make sure we did not only highlight the issues but also presented some practical options for reform - and this is where the work of Paul and the Brabners Chaffe Street team was invaluable."

Another employment Partner at Brabners Chaffe Street`s Manchester office, Simon Whitehead, was also recently invited to the House of Lords to answer questions from the Peers about Harriet Harman`s controversial Equality Bill.


For further information contact Paul Chamberlain at Brabners Chaffe Street on 0161 836 8800

Back to the news headlines