Today’s decision will see the qualification period for the right to claim unfair dismissal extended from one to two years. This will come into force on 6 April 2012. This is the latest development in the Government’s workplace reforms which aim to increase business confidence to take on more workers. Changes to the unfair dismissal rules follow the ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’ consultation published in January this year which also proposed measures to encourage early resolution of disputes, the speeding up of the tribunal process and measures to tackle weak and vexatious claims. Read more…. 18 October 2011 Doctors, nurses and other NHS workers who blow the whistle will be protected in the future, under changes to the NHS Constitution announced by the Health Secretary. The changes will also make it clear that it is the duty of all NHS workers to report bad practice or any mistreatment of patients receiving care from the health service. The changes will be enshrined in the NHS Constitution and associated guidelines as soon as possible to encourage more staff to come forward with concerns. This follows the poor care exposed by the Care Quality Commission last week after unannounced inspections of 100 NHS hospitals. Changes to the constitution, to be made in early 2012, will add: · an expectation that staff should raise concerns at the earliest opportunity; · a pledge that NHS organisations should support staff when raising concerns by ensuring their concerns are fully investigated and that there is someone independent, outside of their team, to speak to; and · clarity around the existing legal right for staff to raise concerns about safety, malpractice or other wrong doing without suffering any detriment. Read the full story BUSINESSES SHOULD BE FREE TO HAVE PROTECTED CONVERSATIONS WITH WORKERS 8 November 2011 The Deputy Prime Minister said that businesses should be free to have "frank discussions" with underperforming workers without any consideration for their age or fears about pending employment tribunal proceedings. Mr Clegg 's comments came as he announced a ''major shake-up'' of business inspection so that firms would be offered advice and support but would also be allowed to ''get on'' with their work. The proposed change means introducing a new law that will allow "protected conversations" - meaning staff will not be able to use them against employers later. It was part of fresh moves by the Government to tackle red tape and stop regulators ''breathing down the necks'' of businesses. CHANGES MADE TO NHS CONSTITUTION TO ENSHRINE WHISTLEBLOWING LAW
CIPP Policy News Journal
09/10/2012, Page 212 of 234
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