The Government keeps saying that it wants to help small employers, and then suggests unworkable or inappropriate ideas. From which you will probably gather that the latest ConDem proposal for protected conversations to tackle workplace disputes is not the way forward.
Last week, David Cameron said he plans to introduce ‘protected conversations’ in the workplace. The idea is that manager or worker can request a protected conversation in which they can speak directly about an employee’s poor work performance without the contents of that meeting coming back to haunt them at tribunal at a later date. Thus (in theory at least), employers would be able to point out where employees are falling short without receiving a constructive dismissal claim. And employees, who wish to, will be able to raise concerns about a manager but fear that disciplinary action would be taken against them if they speak out.
After the outrage …