Public Sector Strikes to cause disruption to UK SME businesses yet again

Millions of public sector employees will participate in a mass strike on Wednesday 30th November 2011. The public sector workers are striking over changes to public sector pensions.

Earlier this year we saw the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers striking in June, but Wednesdays planned mass public sector strike will cause disruption across multiple public sector services including hospitals, transport and education.

Should schools close, employers could be faced with staffing issues when employees are unable to work due to a lack of childcare. A reduction in staff can considerably impact the SME businesses productivity and add additional pressure to the whole team.

Lindsay Hill, Chief Executive at Employment Law specialists Citation plc said “Employers should encourage employees to think ahead and to be proactive about looking at alternative childcare arrangements including asking relatives, friends or nurseries to care for children if schools close.”

“Employers could also consider allowing employees to take their holiday entitlement, look at the possibility of the employee working from home or agreeing time off that can be worked back at a later date”.

Ultimately, if none of the above applies, then employees have a legal right to take a
reasonable amount of unpaid time off to cope with an emergency involving a dependant.

Citation’s Employment Law Consultants and 24/7 Helpline advisors support clients throughout any Employment Law process, providing advice and guidance at all stages. If you are worried that your business is not properly conforming to current employment law, then a Citation employment law Consultant can help.

Operating throughout the UK since 1995, Citation provides professional advice and compliance packages to business clients. Independently endorsed at the highest level its market leading services provide guaranteed protection in the high risk areas of employment law and health & safety regulations.

For more information about Citation and the services it provides, visit the Citation website at http://www.citation.co.uk/employmentlaw or call 0845 844 1111.

Contact Information

Stuart Brandwood

Press Contact

Citation

Contact via E-mail