HRZone.co.uk is calling for the delayed implementation of new sexual harassment rules, due to come into force on 6 April, after it was revealed that the regulations were only laid down in Parliament three weeks ago.
The website has teamed up with sister site BusinessZone.co.uk, which provides free advice to thousands of entrepreneurs, to demand the delay after it was discovered that women and equalities minister Harriet Harman used a statutory instrument requiring no debate in Parliament to push through the regulations on 14 March.
The changes have received little publicity and with the rules coming into force on 6 April, businesses have had a very limited time to prepare. The last minute introduction is even more worrying given that the government itself admits it will cost small firms £10m to comply.
BusinessZone.co.uk and HRZone.co.uk have launched a petition on the Downing Street website, calling on the government to delay the introduction of the changes until at least October to give businesses time to prepare. The campaign is supported by a group on social networking site Facebook.
The two websites also demand that ministers use the delay to inform small business owners and HR professionals of what they need to do to stay on the right side of the law.
Dan Martin, editor of BusinessZone.co.uk, said: “You would have thought the government would have learnt from the furore caused by the lack of consultation over capital gains tax changes. It was only intense pressure from business groups which forced a change.
“Now yet again we are seeing hastily introduced rules which, while beneficial in protecting employees, impose administration and cost burdens on small businesses and give them no time to prepare.
“I urge all small business owners and anyone with an interest in the sector to sign our petition and force the government to delay implementation of the rules so entrepreneurs don’t fall foul of the law for no fault of their own on 6 April.”
Lucie Benson, editor of HRZone.co.uk, added: “It is ridiculous to expect employers and HR professionals to prepare for and understand new sexual harassment rules in such a short timeframe. Where is the support from the government?
“Whilst it is vitally important for all employees to be protected from any type of sexual harassment, these new laws will mean that employers could face unlimited damages if they fail to protect employees from sexual harassment by third parties, so it is clear that organisations need more time to prepare for this.
“I therefore urge all HR professionals to sign the petition to ensure the government does the right thing and delays the implementation of these regulations.”
