Informing and Consulting Employees: The New Law

A comprehensive and practical analysis of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004. The Regulations, which come into force on a rolling basis from spring 2005, represent a fundamental and complex change to employee relations in the UK, requesting companies to set up domestic works councils and inform and consult them about a wide range of business issues. This book provides a detailed explanation of the contents of the regulations, as well as offering expert guidance on their implications for employers in practice. The text explains the operation of the new law on a mechanical level and provides expert guidance on its implications. It addresses the practical concerns and questions of those affected - when do the regulations apply; how is the information and consultation process started; how does an employer negotiate; when should a voluntary procedure be considered; what does 'information and consultation' mean; how is confidential information best treated; how will the new be procedure enforced; how does it interact with existing laws on redundancy and TUPE? The Narrative is supported by flowcharts and sample procedures, together with the full text of relevant materials (the Regulations, the Directive, and DTI guidance).

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction and Overview 2: When do the Regulations Apply? 3: Pre-existing Agreements 4: Requesting Information and Consultation 5: Negotiating an Information and Consultation Procedure 6: Standard Information and Consultation Arrangements 7: Enforcement 8: Confidential Information 9: Employee Rights 10: How do we Compare? Appendix 1 EU Information and Consultation Directive Appendix 2 Information and Consultation of Employees Directive 2004 Appendix 3 DTI Guidance on the Information and Consultation Regulations 2004

About the Author :
Nicholas Squire is a partner and head of Freshfields' employment, pensions, and benefit practice based in London. He has extensive experience in advising on collective consultation issues, especially in the context of large-scale cross-border transactions and other 'employee change' situations. Kathleen Squire is a partner in the London employment, pensions, and benefits practice at Freshfields. She has broad experience of employee participation structures. Joanna Broadbent is a senior knowledge management lawyer in the employment, pensions, and benefits practice at Freshfields. She has specific responsibilties for know-how and training.

Review :
`...goes on to give in-depth coverage of the scheme of the Regulations. Of particular interest to practitioners are the chapters on 'pre-existing' and 'negotiated' agreements.' Mark Tarran, PLC Employment