Clause 3
Employment Bill [Lords]
11:15 am
John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley, Liberal Democrat)
All parties are in agreement with the Bill’s direction, which is towards clarity and ensuring that issues are resolved at an early stage with the least formality—although one does need formality at a certain point, so that people know that there is a formal grievance. I ask the Minister to recognise that there are different ways of achieving that clarity and informality. It is when one gets the whole package, including any departmental guidance, that one has what people have to face. Even if it is not specified in the Bill, departmental guidance that clarifies which code of practice to follow in which circumstance is important. It is straightforward for a smaller business to look it up and not to have to bring in legal advisers, even if some organisations provide legal support. Clarity and simplicity are the order of the day.