Law says it's good to talk

At a seminar held by law firm Clarke Willmott in Southampton, delegates heard about the new Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations.

The regulations oblige employers, for the first time, to consult staff about important matters affecting the business.

Consultation obligations have in the past been mainly restricted to redundancies and business transfers, but now employers may have to keep staff abreast of any significant issues that may impact on the company.

Clarke Willmott employment partner Mike Wilson explained: "We held this event to help local businesses understand the new legislation. The new regulations force employers to consult staff representatives on various business matters.

"With a penalty of £75,000 if employers breach this legislation, it is important that employers know what to do if the regulations apply to them.

"From April 6, any business with more than 150 staff has been bound by the new law but, by 2008, any business with more than 50 staff will be affected."

To illustrate the point, Clarke Willmott invited Gaynor Meikle, the successful claimant in the widely-reported Court of Appeal case of Nottinghamshire County Council v Meikle, to talk about her personal experiences of poor consultation.

Delegates heard about Mrs Meikle's claim for disability discrimination and how her employer failed to help with the difficulties she was having at work.

Her case involved an employer failing to consult as to how they could assist her in coping with her poor eyesight, while at the same time carrying on her work as a successful teacher.

Mrs Meikle said: "I hope my comments will go some way to preventing other disabled persons going through the same difficulties that I have been put through.

"If my employer had consulted me properly, it is unlikely I would have taken legal action."

Further information on the new legislation is available from www.clarkewillmott.com