Employers will no longer be allowed to sack people because they have been summoned for jury service.
A change in the law will come into effect on 6 April, constitutional affairs secretary Lord Falconer has announced.
Most employers recognise and respect jury service as an important civic duty, he said, but reforms were necessary to protect staff, in particular those who have spent less than a year in their current job.
Describing juries as the cornerstone of the criminal justice system, Falconer added: “With more employed people doing jury service than ever before it is important to provide statutory protection against dismissal or discrimination.”
Consultation on the move closes on 15 April and can be viewed online:
www.dca.gov.uk/consult/juryresearch/juryresearch_cp0405.htm>
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