Strike could hit staffing levels, say lawyers
TODAY’S strike by public sector workers, including teachers, over planned changes to their pensions could have a major impact on firms’ staffing levels, say lawyers.
With a third of schools expected to be closed many parents have been forced to take time off.
Mary Clarke, employment partner at law firm DLA in Manchester described the implications as “immense”.
She said: “This will inevitably lead to significant employee relations issues and if employees are not given much notice of school closures they may have rights to take emergency dependent’s leave in any event.
“Although strike action overall is at a historic low, the potential impact of short term strike action in the teaching sector should not be underestimated.”
Jim Lister, head of employment at Manchester law firm Pannone, warned that employers who attempt to discipline parents who fail to turn up for work could be acting unlawfully.
He said: “As there is no general legal obligation to pay parents unable to get into work, they are entitled to unpaid leave following the breakdown of arrangements for the care of their children.
“Therefore, employers who attempt to discipline parents for not turning up for work could find themselves falling foul of the law.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and three teaching unions are protesting at the proposed pension changes which they say will mean working longer and contributing more for a reduced pension.
