Unfair dismissal amendments are a 'charter for bad employers'

The government's plan to scrap protection against unfair dismissal has received further industry criticism today, with leading legal professionals calling the proposals a "charter for bad employers".

Jonathan Exten-Wright, a partner at DLA Piper, stated: "I do think there is a risk that the [changes] could be a charter for bad employers.

"It seems to me that we have come a long way over the years to establish good practice - where you have to show a fair reason and a fair process [for dismissal]."

Chancellor George Osborne announced at the Conservative Party Conference that the qualifying period for unfair dismissals will be increased from one to two years, in an attempt to rid the UK workforce of unproductive employees.

While these changes are designed to reduce the number of claims going through the tribunal system - which has come under significant strain over the past twelve months - Mr Exten-Wright, among others, believes that pressure on the legal system will in fact increase, as employees are forced to argue discrimination or whistleblowing instead.

Posted by Phil Hammond