Small businesses 'suffering from employee sick-leave rules'

Categories: General Health and Safety |


Small businesses 'suffering from employee sick-leave rules' Small businesses across the UK are being deterred from taking on new workers due to the introduction of new rules covering long-term sick leave.

That is according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which has reported that smaller enterprises are cutting back on their recruitment efforts after the European Court of Justice ruled that workers will still benefit from statutory entitlement to paid leave even if they are absent through long-term sickness.

Specifically, the FSB found that a significant proportion of its members are now reluctant to take on anyone who may have health troubles, while many would also look to fire a worker who is off work sick for a prolonged period of time in order to save money.

According to FSB chairman John Walker, small businesses generally appreciate the need for "good health in the workplace", with most bosses keen to accommodate the needs of their staff.

He added, however: "These figures show that the changes in the law on sick leave are hampering employment opportunities to get long-term unemployed back into work."

This comes as the Health and Safety Executive rolls out new rules concerning the use of tower cranes, with bosses now required to register their cranes with the authorities, as well as ensure that employees are given the correct workwear.ADNFCR-1200-ID-19721258-ADNFCR

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