Labour’s plan to let trade unions into workplaces according to the Telegraph. It points out that this could hit small businesses with a £680m bill. Under the Employment Rights Act, union officials will be granted “statutory right of access” to workplaces on a weekly basis. This is to allow them to work to increase membership. It is reported that Employers who block union access could face a fine of £75,000 for a single offence, rising to £150,000 for repeated offences. The Adam Smith Institute, a free market think tank, has called for the Government to exempt all SMEs from the statutory access rules to avoid them being disproportionately harmed by the policy. Both Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, and Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat business spokesman, are calling for measures to ensure small businesses wouldn’t suffer any added burdens.
iBOSS Comment:
More legislation that is potentially harmful to the interests of SMEs. Hopefully the FSB and maybe even the CBI will lobby the Government to take the pressure off SME businesses. If you are concerned by this, can we suggest do some lobbying!