Employment Laws in UK Replacing the Collective Laissez-Fair System Essay

Employment Laws in UK Replacing the Collective Laissez-Fair System - Essay Example This paper illustrates that before the introduction of the statutory employment law what was commonly in use was the laissez- fair that lost its significance later after the introduction of the statutory laws. This has made the collective bargaining to lose its significance considerably and instead the statutory laws have become more important. This has resulted into the emergence of new employment patterns in addition to employment disputes. This is clear indications that in the modern day workers depend on law rather than on the collective bargain. The rise of groups lobbying for the rights of workers has continually attacked the tenets of laissez faire through the enforcement of the labor laws. Laissez faire, which advocates for equal competitive chances for all hence survival of the fittest is currently seen as discriminative, offensive and unfair. Not only has individuals and organizations come up with new strategies, but the government has also come up with strategies aimed at protecting the consumers and investors. These regulations deal a great blow to the capitalist nature of businessmen as dictated by the laissez-faire policy. According to the Labor & European Law Review Index, there are articles, acceptable by the law that dictates on the associations at the workplace. Among the regulations in the index are the age regulations. This dictates that investors cannot hire children of a given age. Moreover, there are conditions that have to be fulfilled before an investor can hire women, children or the disabled. This restricts the freedom granted by the laissez-faire where one can hire whoever has the skills to complete the task at hand. Another challenge posed by the LERL is the employment rights, equality, and compensation. As it is widely accepted, Laissez faire is centered on the benefit of the investor but not the employees. It encourages manipulation of the workers as long as they fulfill the demands of the employer. An incompetent worker is automa tically dismissed. However, with the coming of the regulations, these freedoms are curtailed. The freedom of information means that the workers are no longer regulated. Access to information means that the workers are fully aware of their rights. They are therefore empowered to fight for their rights. On the other hand, the employers’ hands are tied as the labour regulations allow for such. Therefore, the employer ceases becoming the top-most authority, as is the case in laissez-faire. The employer also cannot fire the workers at will since that would be a breach of contract and the employer can be arraigned in court for that. Through these regulations, the employer loses the much control that is availed by the laissez-faire system. The UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has also formulated policies that are aimed at bringing a balanced and sustainable growth. On the face of it, this may seem like a great idea, but not in the eyes of investors who believe in the Laissez faire. Under these policies are some policy areas of interest. According to the BIS, these areas include business law, better regulation, consumer issues and business sectors among others. These are the key areas that threaten the continuity and functionality of the laissez faire system. Of greatest impact is the business law. This law is divided into segments which dictate how various functions in a business entity should be carried out. This alone inhibits the freedom of investors. Furthermore, these regulations call for corporate governance. This comes in line with the corporate social responsibility.