in brief

This week’s news in brief

CBI rejects TUC claims on consultation

The CBI has rejected claims from the TUC that a proposed EU directive would
improve consultation over redundancies. It argues that companies already need
to consult staff under British law and the directive would only give "an
artificial" strength to the role of trade unions. John Cridland, deputy
director-general says "It offers unions influence over a range of
day-to-day management decisions, not just redundancies."

Transport workers excluded from WTR

Office workers in the transport sector are not covered by the working time
regulations, according to a recent decision by the European Court of Justice.
The Advocate General supports the literal interpretation of the directive that
it is the activity of the employer that determines if the directive covers their
employee, not the work carried out by the individual.

Inadequate consultation over bonus pay

Employers are demotivating their staff by failing to consult them when
determining the level of bonus payments, according to a new report from the
Industrial Society. Although seven out of 10 organisations in the survey
operated a bonus scheme, 82 per cent of respondents admitted that unions or
employee representatives were not involved in determining the level of payment.
Said Will Hulton, chief executive of the IS, "Designing bonus schemes with
all stakeholders is a must if they are to have any chance of success."

Balance applies to all

Delegates at the employers’ Law briefing on work-life balance agreed that
employers must ensure all their employees benefit from flexible working.

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HRA used in tribunals

The rights contained in the HRA are being increasingly referred to in
tribunal proceedings, according to law firm Hammond Suddards Edge. However, it
notes that so far tribunals have found that enforcing a given right would
breach the rights of others or lead to injustice between the parties.