Employment expert to share views with MPs

A NORTH  West employment law expert will be giving evidence to a House of Commons committee tomorrow.

John Morris, senior partner and head of employment at Carlisle-based Burnetts will share his views with MPs on proposed changes to employment law the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Bill.

He will appear before a Public Bill Committee of 25 MPs on Thursdayat 9.30am.

The Bill, introduced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, includes changes to employment legislation including a compulsory attempt at conciliation through Acas before making an employment tribunal claim and caps to compensation awards for unfair dismissal.

Mr Morris, who is also an employment judge, said, “There is not a lot in this Bill for workers to celebrate. I think the most damaging provision is the proposed introduction of a cap for compensation awards.

“By definition, compensation is intended to compensate an employee for having been unfairly dismissed. The suggested cap of £26,000 or less is not fair on anyone earning more than the average salary.”

The Bill also proposes a financial penalty of up to £5,000 for employers who lose claims brought against them. Previously, penalties imposed in the employment tribunal have been paid to the employee, but this Bill suggests that such fines be paid to the Government instead.

Mr Morris added: “Financial penalties in the Employment Tribunals are not new, but paying the penalty to the government definitely is. I think some may use this to support the argument that the system is weighted against employers and I can also envisage the process being protracted by arguments as to the amount of any penalty.”

Mr Morris is one of  four solicitors who will give oral evidence on the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Bill at this session. A member of the Law Society’s Employment Law Committee, earlier this year John was invited to join an Expert User Group to advise the government on employment tribunal procedures.