Following a consultation which concluded in April this year, the Government stated yesterday (28 September) that they have made "no final decision" on the proposed extension of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims.
The new rules would mean employees would have to be with a company for two years rather than just one in order to be eligible to make an unfair dismissal claim.
Unions are vehemently opposed to such a change, as well as opposing other plans to introduce fees for employees wishing to sue their employers at a tribunal.
In a document published on Monday (26 September), the Government said: "We are increasing the qualifying period for employees to be able to bring a claim for unfair dismissal from one to two years and introducing fees for lodging employment tribunal cases to tackle vexatious claims."
However, they have since claimed there was a "drafting error" in the document and that "no final decision has been taken to increase the unfair dismissal qualifying period".
The director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: "The Government has made an important commitment to simplifying the tribunal system and ensuring employment law does not hinder growth.
"We support the proposals to extend the unfair dismissal period from one to two years, which will give confidence to those employers taking on a new staff member.
"The proposed reforms to the tribunal system will dissuade vexatious claims, freeing it up for those with genuine grievances.
"The current system wastes time and money and distracts employers from growing their businesses and creating much-needed jobs."
The trade union Unite countered: "How will attacking workers' ability to secure justice create one single job? All it will do is create a hire and fire culture where bad employers cannot be challenged.
"When will this Government understand that there is not a culture of 'vexatious' claims? Proper checks and balances are in place to root out those cases. The vast majority of workers pursuing unfair dismissal are found to have valid claims."
The Government document outlining how they plan to cut red tape will be reissued at a later date.
Related links:
Read more on the story (The Independent)
Read about unfair dismissal (FindLaw)
Find local employment solicitors throughout the UK (FindLaw)
