Employers face new ICE laws

18/03/2008

From April companies will need to follow the latest phase of the Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations, 2004.

Initially established for companies with more than 150 employers, ICE rules will soon apply to firms with more than 50 employees and affect 18,000 employers across the UK.

Ann Bevitt, a partner at Morrison & Foerster law firm told Peoplemanagement.co.uk the introduction should provide "no great cultural change for larger employers" although smaller companies may struggle.

Ms Bevitt believes there may be proportionally more cases. "They may not handle requests appropriately, and they may not have a consultation culture – they are less likely to have trade unions, or any other staff bodies, for example," she said.

The extension of the law allows workers to receive information, consult on workplace matters and changes in workplace organisation -this is commonly done in a worker's forum, which they will be entitled to create.

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