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'Fewer employee rights' the key to economic growth

  • Publish Date: Posted 08 February 2011
  • Author: AP Executive

​Mangers of those in finance jobs may be interested in the view of one group on how to stimulate economic growth.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) recommended cutting back on employees' rights, such as removing flexible working and abolishing the right to request time off for training.

Both of these are an administrative burden on businesses and do little to achieve their stated aims, the group stated.

The group also suggested weak tribunal cases could be deterred by introducing a minimum deposit of £500 from any worker who wishes to make a claim against their employer.

"Many of the measures we have proposed today are long overdue and would improve the UK's infrastructure and the functioning of its labour market," the organisation stated.

Responding to the proposals, Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress described the IoD as living in a "Thatcherite fantasy world", adding that rights such as flexible working are good business sense as they can help staff feel less stressed and help their productivity.