Responding to today’s publication of the Employment Rights Bill, Alex Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Advisor for Employment at the Institute of Directors, said:

“Our research shows that there is appetite for some employment law reform within the business community. We welcome signs that government has taken on board concerns from business regarding the importance of probationary periods, as well as its commitment to consult meaningfully with business on the detail of the policies.

“However, we remain concerned that these proposals are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut and will ultimately make it both riskier and more costly for businesses to employ staff at a time when business confidence is at its lowest point in two years.

“The absence of measures to assist businesses, particularly SMEs, in coping with the additional costs which will arise from these reforms is also disappointing. We strongly encourage government to reintroduce a rebate scheme in the forthcoming Budget to help SMEs with higher costs resulting from changes to the Statutory Sick Pay entitlement.”