April 6: Information and consultation obligations take effect
The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 give employees the right to be informed and consulted about their employer’s business from 6 April.
From 6 April 2005, where a valid employee request triggers the requirement, employers with 150 or more employees in the UK will be required to negotiate and agree a procedure for informing and consulting their employees.
The Regulations are extended to cover employers with 100 or more employees from 6 April 2007 and to those with 50 or more employees from 6 April 2008.
Information and consultation of employees: the basics Key requirements of the legislation and guidance on possible approaches employers may take are provided in the HR & Compliance Centre employment law reference manual.
Agreement on information and consultation with employees HR & Compliance Centre's policies and documents section provides a model pre-existing agreement under the Regulations. Provided by law firm Wedlake Bell.
Topic of the week: Legal overview; FAQs; Case studies; and Practical points In HR & Compliance Centre's series looking at hot topics in employment law, Lewis Silkin provides guidance on the Regulations.
Quick reference: Date legislation applies; Pre-existing agreements; Standard provisions; and Valid employee requests HR & Compliance Centre's quick reference section has at-a-glance information on the Regulations.
Information and Consultation of Employee Regulations 2004 The full text of the Regulations can be viewed on HR & Compliance Centre's legislation service.
Also
DTI Guidance on the Information and Consultation Regulations (PDF format) Read the full text of the guidance on the DTI website.
Information and Consultation Directive: Latest developments The DTI website rounds up other key documents relating to the Regulations.
Information and consultation: good practice advice The ACAS website has detailed advice on how to prepare for the new obligations.
Consultation rules will open a new era for employee relations The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 represent an unprecedented opportunity to build mutuality and openness in the employment relationship, argues Stephen Overell.
Broadcaster leads the way on employee consultation Broadcaster BSkyB has set up a staff forum to improve dialogue between management and employees ahead of the introduction of new information and consultation regulations.
Get ready for some serious dialogue What measures should employers have in place to comply with new information and consultation obligations? By barrister Amina Ali.
Information and consultation at work: a guide Personnel Today' One stop guide provides comprehensive, practical advice on informing and consulting employees.
