Fair employment: Why Scotland's workers need a Fair Employment Commission

The recession has a created a situation in which poor employment practices are more common: employees will put up with poor employers for fear of losing their job; workers will accept radical changes to their pay and hours rather than face a tough labour market; and employers will try to cut corners and slash costs in order to stay afloat.

Evidence from citizens advice bureaux in the Fair Employment report show numerous examples of poor employer behaviour, including changing terms and conditions without consultation, systematically underpaying employees, failing to pay redundancy pay, and unfairly dismissing workers. The report argues that it is in the interests of both employees and good employers that a Fair Employment Commission be establised to help enforce employment rights and responsibilities.