Informing and consulting employees
Note: This is our original regulation update text, published on 29 March 2005. Unlike the rest of our site, this archived material is not updated if the law changes.
For an overview of current law in this area, see our guide: Inform and consult your employees
Relevant to
Business owners with 50 or more employees
Took effect on
6 April 2005
From 6 April 2005, employees in larger firms will have the right to be informed and consulted about issues in their workplace. If at least 10 per cent of your employees formally request an Information and Consultation (I&C) agreement you will need to begin negotiating one within three months.
Negotiations can last up to six months and the agreement must:
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set out the circumstances in which you will inform and consult your employees
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provide for consultation with either the employees directly or employee representatives
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include all of your employees
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be approved by your employees
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be in writing, dated and signed by or on behalf of the employer
If you do not reach an agreement, standard I&C rules will apply. This involves electing employee representatives, and informing and consulting employees about:
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your business' activities and economic situation
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the employment situation in your business
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decisions likely to lead to changes in your business' organisation or contractual relationships
Existing agreements that are working well can continue. Unless there is significant demand from your workforce you will not need to negotiate an I&C agreement if you already have a written agreement. This agreement must:
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cover all of your employees
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set out how you will inform and consult your employees
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be approved by your employees (eg by ballot)
These changes apply to businesses with over 150 employees. This will include those with over 100 employees from 6 April 2007, and over 50 from 6 April 2008.
Full title of regulation
Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004
