Discrimination becoming a key issue

Discrimination and equal opportunities issues are now the 4th highest ranking issue for EEF’s members – up from 10th in the first six months of 2006 – with EEF receiving more than twice the number of requests for advice on this subject. This follows the introduction of the new age discrimination regulations last October. Peter Schofield, EEF Director of Legal and Employment Affairs, said: “Despite the Government's rhetoric about reducing burdens on business, our figures show that employers are continuing to carry the costs of dealing with increasing amounts of employment legislation. In particular, in the wake of the new age discrimination regulations effective last October, it is no surprise that we are seeing greater levels of enquiries on age discrimination from employers wanting to avoid the numerous pitfalls. “In the coming period we expect to see more enquiries associated with extended maternity pay, and rights to request flexible working, as new legislation in these areas comes into effect. We also expect to see an increasing number of enquiries on sickness absence.” The top three employment related issues concerning the UK’s employers remain: disciplinary issues, redundancy and reorganisation, and contracts of employment. EEF, which provides employment advice to its membership of more than 6,000 manufacturing companies, received over 23,000 calls for support on employment related issues during the period July through December 2006. EEF confirmed the Top10 burning employment issues from a list of more than 30 categories of issues on which employers sought advice during the period. The top 10 issues, which accounted for nearly 80% of all calls, were as follows: 1.Disciplinary 2.Redundancy and Reorganisation 3.Contracts of Employment 4.Equal Opportunities/Discrimination 5.Absence Management 6.Grievances 7.Termination of Employment 8.Ill Health 9.Family/Maternity Issues 10.Employment Tribunals Disciplinary Issues accounted for 20% of all calls (nearly 4,500 calls), with almost 600 more calls received than the prior six-month period. Although still the second highest concern for employers, requests for advice on redundancies and reorganisation fell for a second consecutive period with just over 2,900 calls received versus nearly 3,100 for the previous six months. This fall may reflect the more favourable business climate in 2006, which led to fewer redundancies in manufacturing. During the last six months of 2006, employment tribunals entered the Top 10 of issues concerning the UK’s employers. EEF is examining this trend and will publish its findings soon.