Pictured above: Tim Lang
A leading employment lawyer has warned businesses in the
Midlands to ensure they have a contingency plan in place as the
biggest public sector strike in decades is due to take place this
week.
As over 750,000 public sector workers plan to down tools and
take to the streets in protest over pension cuts on Thursday and a
summer of industrial action beckons, Tim Lang, partner at the
Birmingham office of national law firm Weightmans LLP has issued a
warning to local businesses that the strike could trigger a 'knock
on effect' sending shockwaves through the already fragile regional
economy.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of
Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) have announced a nationwide walkout
that will take place this Thursday 30th June, affecting thousands
of schools in England and Wales. Public and Commercial Services
Union (PCS) members - including court staff and immigration
officers - will also join the strike.
Tim believes that the coordinated strike action from the NUT,
ATL and PCS will put pressure on employers across both public and
private sectors:
"The teacher strikes may force schools to close on 30th June,
creating childcare problems for many employees in the region.
Employers should create a contingency plan now to fully assess just
how many staff may be absent as a result."
Tim suggests employers should be supportive rather than reactive
to ensure productivity is not affected:
"The key is to remain sensible and supportive. If employees are
unable to find alternative childcare this is considered a domestic
emergency and businesses should try their best to accommodate their
needs.
"It may be that employees can be provided the facility to work
from home, or they may wish to take a day's holiday.
"Every business is different, but managers and HR departments
that balance the requirements of the business with that of their
staff will find that damage to productivity can be limited or
prevented altogether."
Businesses that prepare for the strike action now have the
greatest chance of continuing business as usual, says Tim:
"Business should make sure that all bases are covered - any big
deliveries, payroll processing or orders that are due on strike
days should be moved now if possible. Customers and staff will be
satisfied that despite the disruption you have remained in
control."