Chamber welcomes Taylor report on modern working

11th July 2017

Posted on July 11th, 2017

The biggest business-representation organisation in the Midlands has welcomed the Mathew Taylor report into modern working practices.

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) described the report – which was produced over a seven-month period in consultation with employers and employees – as creating helpful discussion on the developing nature of employment, with an important focus on the creation of quality jobs, continuing flexibility and the ending of exploitation.

However, the Chamber noted that more work was needed to fully understand the potential impact that any additional costs associated with employment would have on small and medium-sized businesses and what the opportunities would be to minimise this.

Key recommendations made in the report include:
-The recognition of workers in the ‘gig economy’ as ‘dependent contractors’ as opposed to being self-employed, with entitlement to similar employment rights as fully-employed colleagues
-The continuation of zero-hour contracts where they provide valuable flexibility for both employee and employer, but with the option for employees to request a move to full-time employment
-An end to the ‘cash in hand’ economy

Speaking ahead of the formal release of the report, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at the Chamber, said: “This report plays a valuable role in moving the discussion on in terms of what people want to see from modern-day employment and we were pleased to have been given an opportunity to contribute to Lord Taylor’s evidence gathering.

“Importantly, the report highlights the significance of having flexibility within work and the benefits this has given the UK economy, particularly in recent years. However, while the vast majority of employers understand that they need to work with their staff to run a sustainably successful business, there are still a few who abuse the system and every effort should be made to prevent this.

“Employment has changed from 30 years ago and, with automation, changing consumer tastes and different generational demands, it will be unrecognisable again 30 years from now. Through this period, the UK should aim to be at the front of the pack in terms of both employment and education policy that allows us to deliver inclusive growth throughout these changes.

“Employees are a business’s biggest asset and ensuring staff are properly rewarded and protected improves performance, aids retention, cuts recruitment costs and, ultimately, makes good business sense both now and for the future.”

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