Pictured above: Toni Sharp, solicitor at Wright
Hassall
New laws to protect workers against 'slavery' could stamp out
abuses of power, a Midlands lawyer has said.
Penalties for employers who force people to continue working
beyond their agreed hours without their consent could be heavily
fined or face a jail sentence of up to 14 years under a law
introduced in April.
Toni Sharp, of Wright Hassall solicitors in Leamington Spa, said
that the changes had been made primarily to protect migrant workers
but could also have a knock-on effect on the wider business
community.
"These changes will help to protect workers who are suffering
from oppressive working conditions, particularly those who are
brought to the UK from abroad," Ms Sharp said.
"If employers force employees to keep working beyond their
agreed hours, without their consent, and make threats to them -
such as refusing to pay wages - they may face harsh penalties under
the new legislation.
"Such a practice is mainly observed in lower paid jobs where
migrant workers tend to be found because workers are often more
vulnerable and unaware of their rights.
"But by tightening the law, this should act as a warning shot to
bosses in more established sectors, who tend to push the boundaries
when making demands of their staff.
"Most employees are willing to work a reasonable amount of
unpaid overtime, but if their employer begins to demand further
unpaid work without the voluntary agreement of staff, then they
could breach this new law and potentially be in breach of the
Working Time Regulations.
"Hopefully, this provision and associated penalites will act as
a preventative measure against the poor treatment of some employers
and encourage a fairer system of working."
For more information on Wright Hassall LLP, please visit their
website at www.wrighthassall.co.uk