Enterprise urges north east businesses to be aware of changing employment law

Date: Tuesday 14th September 2004

Enterprise North East Trust is urging north east businesses not to fall foul of changing employment law issues, following today’s announcement that nearly two thirds of small businesses in Scotland are not prepared for new health and safety rules.  To help businesses keep up to date with changing legislation, Enterprise North East Trust is running a series of events to highlight to business owners that their organisation must be legally compliant with current employment and health and safety legislation. 

The events, sponsored by Croner Consulting Scotland, will look at dispute resolution in the workplace, the disability discrimination act, redundancies, dismissal, contractual issues and will also give delegates the opportunity to ‘ask the experts’ on a range of new and existing employment law issues.

A survey issued yesterday indicated that 73% of small firms north of the border were confident they were up to date with health and safety law.  Keeping on top of employment law changes can be virtually a full time job, especially, when there are a record number of new pieces of legislation being introduced.  From October 1st 2004, all businesses that provide a service to the public will be under a new duty to make reasonable physical adjustments to make their services accessible to disabled customers. The survey highlighted that although 67% of small businesses in Scotland knew about the disability law change, only 25% had taken any action.  Also, as of October, employers need to be aware of new legislation relating to discipline and dismissals in the workplace, making it mandatory for all employers to have minimum dismissal, disciplinary and grievance procedures in place.

Jackie Mann of Croner Consulting says, “With new legislation emerging all the time it can be difficult for employers to keep up-to-date with the correct procedures for dealing with issues such as dispute resolution, redundancies, dismissals and changing disability discrimination laws.”

Jackie continues, “The seminars will give delegates an enhanced awareness of the legal issues which may affect their employees.  As the study has shown many companies are not acquainted with any new laws or the companies that are aware have not taken any action to implement the new legislation, this can lead to problems and the firm may end up at tribunal. Therefore, it is paramount that employers are up-to-date with the new legislation, should any disputes arise.”

Karen Clark of Enterprise says, “Through regular consultations with small businesses in the north east, there is a clear need for these types of events to ensure that companies are legally compliant and up-to-date with current legislation.  As laws can change on a daily basis, it is almost impossible for individual employers to keep abreast of the twists and turns of tribunals, appeal tribunals and Court of Appeal rulings.  The employment law events will help delegates understand recent changes in employment law and be aware of how this affects them.”

The first event will focus on ‘Dispute Resolution in the Workplace’ and will highlight the many concerns that employers may have about managing discipline and dismissals in the workplace.  It will be held at Enterprise’s Riverview Business Centre, North Esplanade West, Aberdeen on Thursday 23 September 2004 from 5.30pm onwards.

For more information on this event, or to book a place please contact Karen Clark on 01467 672535 or email events@enetrust.com.

For more information contact:
Laura Cox
Account Executive
Tricker PR
Telephone: 01224 649491Email: lcox@trickerpr.com