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Print Page Legislation on employment law is effecting UK engineering businesses...
The degree of protection offered to employees by the law is a vexed political issue. Depending on the government of the day such restrictions are either a vital safeguard against corporate greed or a barrier to free enterprise. But given the state of the UK and European economies is it now time to relax labour law to give businesses more flexibility to compete on the world stage?
A key provision in UK employment law is the right not be unfairly dismissed. A dismissal is unfair if it contravenes the requirements of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Dismissals can be automatically unfair, for example if the decision to sack an employee is based on one of the ‘protected characteristics’ set out in the Equalities Act 2010 or because the worker is pregnant. The length of service of the worker is irrelevant when considering whether a dismissal was automatically unfair.
Otherwise dismissals will be lawful so long as the employer has followed a fair procedure, acts reasonably and has a fair reason. Fair reasons include reasons related to the employee’s conduct, capacity to do the job or qualifications. Unless the employee is claiming a dismissal was automatically unfair, he or she must have worked for at least a year to enjoy the right against unfair dismissal, although this period was extended by the coalition government to two years if the employment started on or after 6 April 2012.
This extension was welcomed by employers, many of whom feel the system has swung too far in favour of workers. Employment Tribunals received 218,000 claims in financial year 2010-11 alone. Complaints of unfair dismissal accounted for 28% of the individual grounds dealt with by the tribunals during this period.
The UK economy is currently in recession and many fear the next GDP figures will confirm a third successive quarter of negative growth. The crisis afflicting the Eurozone is widely viewed as a drag on the UK economy’s ability to recover. The huge uncertainties over the outcome and extent of this crisis are denting consumer confidence and causing businesses to take an overly-cautious approach to any new investments.
Against this back business leaders argue that we cannot afford extensive labour laws currently in place. Whilst trade unions counter that it is during the bad times when resources are stretched that these protections are especially necessary, the majority of employers take a different view, asserting that they should be given greater freedom to sack employees in order to remain competitive.
Nearly all sectors of the UK economy are in direct competition with emerging economies that don’t afford their workers equivalent protections. This in addition to the fact that such nations, particularly India and China, also have vastly superior manpower at their disposal. If the UK is to bounce back and compete then it may be time to re-visit our employment laws to offer businesses more flexibility in this new environment.
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HAAS’ all new ST lathe range now includes a small-footprint Y-axis turning centre17.5.2013
With sales exceeding 50 machines a day it’s a wonder how HAAS have found time to develop new products. However, this new Y-axis lathe is another example of how this relatively young and ambitious company is building on a strong loyal customer base by providing a quality product at an affordable price, backed up by a unique multi award winning aft... Read more...
Government incentive schemes for engineers and manufacturers16.5.2013
Beyond the economic troubles that have cast grey shadows over much of the manufacturing industry in the last two years, a light is emerging which promises hope and potential growth for this industry.... Read more...
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TRUMPF processes offer 35% saving...see this and more at their Open House15.5.2013
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Making the most of one of the World's leading machine tool suppliers hospitality, MTDCNC visited TRUMPF at their Luton headquarters today 15th May. With a 'Focus on Functionality' this weeks TRUMPF open house exhibits bending, laser cutting and marking technology.... Read more...
MTDCNC visit the Mazak Open House Event14.5.2013
Both Paul and myself took time out today from the usual MTDCNC commitments to visit the Mazak Open House. This two day event showcases the latest in Mazak machine tool technology with over a dozen 'impressive' machines on show.... Read more...
ACS Introduces New Downdraught filter bench brochure14.5.2013
As a market leader in media filtration systems, Air Cleaning Systems (acs) has now launched its new downdraught filter bench brochure. The FB range enables end users to reduce energy consumption with an optional compressed air control unit that automatically powers down the bench when the connected air tools are not in operation.... Read more...
New manufacturing capacity drives offshore growth for Hone-All14.5.2013
A series of investments targeting the needs of the oil and gas sector are paying dividends for Leighton Buzzard-based Hone-All Precision, enhancing its reputation as a key single-source supplier of precision engineered components.... Read more...
XYZ plans to double European mainland machine tool sales13.5.2013
Plans to double the level of machine tool sales into mainland Europe to 20 per cent of UK turnover have been set in motion by XYZ Machine Tools.... Read more...
Vollmer UK increases service staff levels13.5.2013
To coincide with the increase in business activity at Vollmer UK, the Sandiacre company has now employed three new members of staff, taking employee levels from 9 to 12, a 25% increase. The appointment of Donald Draper..... Read more...
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Seco open house pulls in the crowds and delights exhibitors and visitors alike13.5.2013
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Seco Tools (UK) has reported that its recently-held ‘Seco Live’ Open House (24th & 25th April 2013) was a resounding success with well over 200 visitors attending the event over the two days.... Read more...
Portsmouth-based leading subcontract specialist Di-Spark Ltd is no stranger to making headline news.13.5.2013
The company, one of the leading innovators in and proponents of Electro-Discharge Machining (EDM) and multi-axis (5-axis milling and Mill-Turn) machining for the manufacture of high-precision complex parts has built a reputation..... Read more...
Engineers, is working night shift bad for your health?16.5.2013
It’s no secret that the work of an engineer is a grueling one. The very nature of an engineering job involves endless problem solving and the need for acute skills in Maths and Science.... Read more...
CNC milling machine cutting tools12.5.2013
Within the modern manufacturing industry newer technologies have given rise to innovative manufacturing procedures as older less efficient technologies are replaced by newer more precise and faster ones. There is a seemingly unstoppable momentum to the enhancements that factories, industries and machine shops are undergoing in their formerly tradi... Read more...
Engineers, work out the value of your business5.5.2013
When it comes to business and engineering, most conversations about ‘value’ almost always boil down to one thing - the net worth. Besides the typical factors in determining a company’s value (e.g., revenue growth, earnings growth, balance sheet strength or risk, and risks associated with the cash flow stream)... Read more...
Engineers, do you have time to visit Exhibitions?5.5.2013
Today's engineering/manufacturing workplace enjoys the collective benefits of the great industrial revolutions, advancements and improvements of the past and existing technological innovations of the present.... Read more...
Engineers, selling your swarf can return healthy sums of money5.5.2013
In the manufacturing industry, Swarf (a.k.a. metalworking waste) is a very common and widely used term. Swarf can be any of the various debris or waste materials that are produced as a result of manufacturing processes. ... Read more...
Engineers, should you buy new or second hand machine tools3.5.2013
The worldwide competitive economy and the decrease in product life, forces engineering companies to either invest in brand new machine tools that can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to buy new... Read more...
Engineers, is it Cheaper to Contract CNC Milling and CNC Turning to Europe?29.4.2013
Computerised Numerical Control (CNC) is considered to be one of the greatest inventions in the history of manufacturing technologies and with the industry having grown over the years, both with its overall footprint and impact, the relevance of newer technologies cannot be over-stated. The ability to control heavy-duty machines... Read more...
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5 Axis Milling Technology and How It’s Evolved29.4.2013
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The world of manufacturing is necessarily a continuously changing and evolving environment. Standing-still these days is just not an option. With the level of progress and the speed of development of science and technology in today’s fast-paced world..... Read more...
Swarf Clearance on CNC Lathes19.4.2013
Thanks to the advancements being made in science and technology with each passing day, many improvements are being made in manufacturing processes across a range of firms and industries. Newer methodologies are replacing the older more obsolete processes and the newer techniques used in manufacturing are assisting in the reduction in production tim... Read more...
Through Spindle Coolant on VMCs and Milling Machines12.4.2013
For those new to this concept, the simplest way to describe the process comes from the name itself 'Through spindle coolant'. Historically all machine tools NC or manual would use coolants or oils to keep materials cool and lubricated during machining processes.. ... Read more...
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Air Time Products invest in XYZ 710 VMC12.5.2013
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Hanging upside down in mid-air is all in a day's work for top jet skiers Lee Stone, a freestyle champion at the age of 14 and World Pro Champion at 19, and Pierre Maixent, a seven-times world freeride champion... Read more...
Swarf system saves thousands of litres of cutting oil per week..11.5.2013
After months of research and testing suitable solutions for reclaiming their neat cutting oil back from their swarf. Federal Mogul UK awarded Lubriserv the project for a bespoke swarf centrifuge capable of processing drilling swarf.... Read more...
Haas Machining Centres and Edgecam software protect margins30.4.2013
A precision engineering subcontractor servicing a large number of diverse industries uses a combination of unique workholding, precision Haas machining centres and Edgecam software to protect its margins as customers demand price cuts, and material and consumable costs rise.... Read more...
Anayak & Correa bed mill plus a Johnford at Pure Medium CNC26.4.2013
PureMedium CNC Ltd (PMCNC) is an advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) manufacturing organisation centrally located in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. PMCNC machine press tools for the wind turbine, aerospace, defence and automotive markets...... Read more...
Dugard Machines and TRIM RPO 6 Deliver Precision Manufacturing26.4.2013
Improving production efficiency isn’t just about investing in the latest machining technology. Important cost savings can be found by making relatively minor changes such as adopting a more cost effective coolant regime. ... Read more...
Haas VF-4 is an excellent and good-sized machine for the money19.4.2013
In what looks like a cowshed at the end of a farm track somewhere near Oxford, UK, sits a million – perhaps two million – Euros worth of semi-assembled automobile nostalgia. The vehicles are owned by people as far away as New York City and Monaco, who made their fortunes on stock markets, or maybe selling mobile phones.... Read more...
Accuracy and longevity of Hartford VMC stands out..11.4.2013
The accuracy and longevity, as well as the value for money, of a Hartford vertical machining centre that has been operating at Pacson Valves for more than seven years convinced the Dundee-based manufacturer to return to machine supplier, T W Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC)... Read more...
New Doosan machines installed at the Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy11.4.2013
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has recently supplied two new Doosan machines to the Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy in Derby.... Read more...
Open Mind CAD & OMF Mist extraction on JK Engineerings new 5 axis10.4.2013
When JK Engineering Ltd was formed in 2001, the focus of the subcontract business was to supply complex components to the F1 industry. Installing the latest 5-axis DMG machining centres and Open Mind CAM software... Read more...
Derby-based Promach 3D discover how valuable training can be8.4.2013
Investing the time to learn how to use the very latest software technology to its full potential, is essential for manufacturers to stay efficient and profitable, according to an engineering subcontractor specialising in complex, unusual components.... Read more...
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