Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment

In his speech today George Osborne confirmed press speculation the government plans to restrict eligibility for protection from unfair dismissal to people employed for two years and is going to introduce a deposit for taking a case to a tribunal that will be lost if the case is lost.

David-Cameron-George-Osborne-smirking At a time when people are more depressed about the economic future than for a long time it is unlikely taking away their rights at work is going to make them happier. Young people, in particular, will be hardest hit – they are, after all, much more likely to have been employed for less than two years.

Vulnerable workers, especially those without a union to support them, will be most likely to be intimidated into not taking a case to tribunal, even when it’s a good one.

And all this for really dubious economic benefits. When the Labour government brought that threshold down to one year there was no noticeable impact on employment, and there’s precious little sign of employers demanding this.

Take just today’s news:

• The CBI’s financial services survey found employment has been growing more slowly than expected and firms are scaling back on investment, not because of labour market regulation, but because of “uncertainty about demand and business prospects, and inadequate return on investment”;

• Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index for manufacturing reported manufacturing employment has been falling, not because of the rules on unfair dismissal, but because of “company restructuring, non-replacement of leavers and the ongoing subdued underlying trend in new orders”;

• John Philpott, the chief economist at the CIPD (the professional body for personnel managers) says there’s very little evidence it will promote jobs – the most likely impact is to make the labour market more volatile.

By international standards, the UK does not have a tightly regulated labour market. If we take the OECD’s index of labour market regulation, the UK is right down at the bottom of the table. As Chart 1 shows, only the USA has a less regulated labour market.

Chart 1:

Employment-protection-2008
The chancellor’s speech was (amongst other things) a transparent attempt to shift the blame for unemployment to workers’ rights. No one will gain a job because of these changes – but plenty of low paid and insecure workers will find they have no recourse when they are treated unfairly.

See also:

• New rights for agency workers point to a better economy for all – Daniel Elton, August 26th 2011

• The Right’s prescription of more of the same ignores the evidence – Nicola Smith, July 26th 2011

• Health and Safety cuts: Criminal businesses let off the leash – Steve Tombs and David Whyte, March 26th 2011

• Employment tribunal reforms will further erode workers’ rights – Ruwan Subasinghe, February 7th 2011

• Cutting workers’ rights will not increase employment – Nicola Smith, January 10th 2011

http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/120866521177276416 Jill Hayward

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/baymansteve/status/120867670093594624 Mulatto Passer

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/chasing_dragons/status/120869061365219329 Kyle Grayson

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/UJjrrX5k
http://twitter.com/maximmanchester/status/120869459211722755 Max

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment l Richard Exell l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nsLHQO
http://twitter.com/nemesisrepublic/status/120872013500923904 Nemesis Republic

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/zS7nYtLV by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/nigelbarlow/status/120872574598123520 NigelBarlow

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/4tOnz6xK
http://twitter.com/samanthaj494/status/120877855398830083 Samantha Johnston

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment l Richard Exell l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/nsLHQO
http://twitter.com/behavioura/status/120958515853541376 Jane Cross

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/unionsteve/status/120981886083399680 Steve Jary

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/erazman/status/121003459939020800 E Azicate

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://twitter.com/scotsecpcs/status/121129287557455872 Lynn Henderson

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/L7BmWlPT
http://twitter.com/jillianmerchant/status/121148768153378816 Jillian Merchant

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/L7BmWlPT
http://twitter.com/laurenredwards/status/121160538385424384 Lauren Edwards

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/e4Ooh6si
http://twitter.com/lukesmurphy/status/121160746620030977 Luke Murphy

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/e4Ooh6si
http://twitter.com/steveakehurst/status/121161360024412160 Steve Akehurst

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment: http://t.co/34ZujQQj by @RichardExell #ConConf #CPC11
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/george-osborne-conservative-party-conference-speech-2011-race-to-the-bottom/ Osborne dreaming of a race to the bottom | Left Foot Forward

[...] we do try and compete by lowering regulations, it is indeed China we’d be competing with. As Richard Exell has showed, we already have less employment protection than every other OECD state other than the USA; [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/reducing-job-security-will-not-decrease-unemployment/ Reducing job security won’t decrease unemployment | Left Foot Forward

[...] also: • Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 4th [...]
http://bobblackmanmp.info/ Jonathan

George Osborne appears to want to make it easier for Employers to treat their Workers as they were treated in this shameful episode http://tiny.cc/k7aep
http://twitter.com/londoniww/status/121495630228107264 London IWW

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for #unemployment http://t.co/BMWPxZ3k | #labour #unions
http://twitter.com/andthesewalls/status/121592996843106305 andthesewalls

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/121593162086100992 Andy S

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/121593268143271936 Jill Hayward

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/paulstpancras/status/121593272018812928 paulstpancras

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/geordietoff/status/121593517242990592 Andrew Hair

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/cllrwalshaw/status/121594514862374912 Neil Walshaw

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/lawrenceshaw/status/121594877652910080 Lawrence Shaw

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/adpucci/status/121595081055666176 Pucci D

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/purbeckpashmina/status/121624795598168064 Purbeck Pashmina

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://twitter.com/kamaljeetjandu/status/121625035738841089 Kamaljeet Jandu

Workers protection in UK is already weaker than almost anywhere in developed world: http://t.co/63lE2Px7 #cpc11 #con11
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/camerons-speech-churns-out-the-old-tory-myths/ Cameron’s speech churns out the old Tory myths | Left Foot Forward

[...] “outdated employment regulations” holding back British industry, even though we have less employment protection than every other OECD country apart from [...]
http://twitter.com/charceeholden/status/122920133395103744 Charlie Holden

RT @leftfootfwd: Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/hJX0revn
http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/124122872749895680 Shamik Das

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://twitter.com/anubeon/status/124162752318148608 Lee Hyde

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://twitter.com/misscampbell/status/124162856915709952 Jane

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://twitter.com/superspesh/status/124163272562839552 josie dixon

plans to cut workers' rights – more reasons to be depressed (i mean angry!) http://t.co/g0wREAHX
http://twitter.com/samanthaj494/status/124168497327640577 Samantha Johnston

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://twitter.com/labour_dave/status/124178553939034113 David Marsden

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/record-unemployment-is-solely-the-fault-of-this-government/ Forget Grayling’s excuses: Record joblessness is solely the fault of this government | Left Foot Forward

[...] Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 3rd [...]
http://twitter.com/staffsunison/status/124235172542558208 Staffordshire UNISON

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://twitter.com/erazman/status/124270365848506369 E Azicate

… and here's @RichardExell's article on why Osborne is wrong to strip away workers' rights at employment tribunals: http://t.co/yWiUH5fp
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/david-cameron-counting-cost-of-eurosceptic-appeasement/ Cameron should be counting the cost of his Eurosceptic appeasement | Left Foot Forward

[...] an ideal world, the Tories would use treaty negotiations to get back the opt-out from EU social policy legislation, including directives on maternity and paternity leave, holiday [...]
http://twitter.com/dt_ni/status/134776752357650432 David Thompson

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/tomcamgriffiths/status/134776986701807617 Thomas Griffiths

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/134777162875146241 Jill Hayward

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/intlsocialwork/status/134778866819547137 Karen Adshead

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/noelct/status/134780830227759104 Noel Thingvall

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/strannik_reb45/status/134780962964897792 Игорь Студенков

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/alan_199/status/134781200060526592 Alan199

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/beatrixkiddooo/status/134785242551685121 Beatrix Kiddo

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/mradriansmiffy/status/134790341420253184 Adrian Smith

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/labour_dave/status/134897940543180800 David Marsden

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/tooldtoroknroll/status/134906567786102785 David Irvine

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/tuscindependent/status/134914313956757505 TUSC Independent

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/lemonknickers/status/135046488349876224 Zara Lockwood

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/lemonknickers/status/135046488349876224 Zara Lockwood

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/atraphoenix/status/135047922516635649 Emma

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/atraphoenix/status/135047922516635649 Emma

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/ebonydawnmarsh/status/135048319767547905 Ebony Dawn Marsh

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/ebonydawnmarsh/status/135048319767547905 Ebony Dawn Marsh

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/annabelkaye/status/135050500218425344 Annabel Kaye

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/annabelkaye/status/135050500218425344 Annabel Kaye

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/jfflthm/status/135074611548258304 jeffers

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/jfflthm/status/135074611548258304 jeffers

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/c3iq/status/135283986732818433 Owen Williams

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/free2sayso/status/136044735805657088 Nemo omeN

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://twitter.com/_tent_city_/status/136066734124826624 Estragon

Ok, once again, let's debunk the myth that slashing workers' rights will raise employment; check out the graph! http://t.co/7NR6PJa1 #bbcqt
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/dominic-raab-attack-on-workers-rights-based-on-no-evidence/ Raab’s attacks on workers’ rights are – surprise – based on no evidence | Left Foot Forward

[...] also: • Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 3rd [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/relaxing-worker-protection-to-boost-employment-belongs-to-the-last-century/ Relaxing worker protection to boost employment belongs to the last century | Left Foot Forward

[...] Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 3rd [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/cable-falls-in-line-with-beecrofts-anti-worker-voodoo-economics/ Cable falls in line with Beecroft’s anti-worker voodoo economics | Left Foot Forward

[...] aim behind all of these reforms is to boost the economy, but as we have reported again and again and again, cutting workers rights will do no such [...]
http://twitter.com/cllrjoshuapeck/status/141504363729399808 Cllr Joshua Peck

RT @leftfootfwd: Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/WA3A2ecq
http://twitter.com/ashrafchoudhury/status/141504547859333120 Ashraf Choudhury

Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment http://t.co/Q0MviMbM #AS2011 #ToryFail
http://twitter.com/jamesasser/status/141504639563612161 James Asser

RT @leftfootfwd: Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/WA3A2ecq
http://twitter.com/tiggerdwc/status/141506953389150208 David Carrington

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/morgana42/status/141507255299342336 ann morgan

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/jintyg51/status/141507397674995714 Janet Graham

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/alanrlaing/status/141508850045026304 Alan Laing

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/awesomealan/status/141513809788542976 Alanzinho

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/cushygooding/status/141520575234445312 Liz G

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://twitter.com/labourcv/status/141526912991363072 Colne Valley Labour

Workers rights aren't to blame for unemployment http://t.co/HWv7bTsR
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/12/a-new-strategy-to-help-save-uk-manufacturing/ A new strategy to help save UK manufacturing | Left Foot Forward

[...] Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 3rd 2011 Share | Permalink | Leave a comment /* [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/we-need-to-save-manufacturing-but-manufacturing-wont-save-us/ We need to save manufacturing, but manufacturing won’t save us | Left Foot Forward

[...] Gideon’s grotesque attempt to blame workers’ rights for unemployment – Richard Exell, October 3rd 2011 Share | Permalink | Comments: [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/02/if-liz-truss-wants-to-be-more-like-germany-she-should-boost-workers-rights/ If Liz Truss wants to be more like Germany, she should boost workers’ rights | Left Foot Forward

[...] Richard Exell wrote when the chancellor suggested the same thing: At a time when people are more depressed about the economic future than for a long [...]