Public Sector Strikes to cause disruption to UK SME businesses

Millions of public sector employees will participate in a mass strike on Wednesday 30th
November 2011. The public sector workers are striking over changes to public sector pensions.

Earlier this year we saw the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and
Lecturers striking in June, but Wednesdays planned mass public sector strike will cause
disruption across multiple public sector services including hospitals, transport and education.

Should schools close, employers could be faced with staffing issues when employees are
unable to work due to a lack of childcare. A reduction in staff can considerably impact the SME
businesses productivity and add additional pressure to the whole team.

Lindsay Hill, Chief Executive at Employment Law specialists Citation plc said
“Employers should encourage employees to think ahead and to be proactive about looking at
alternative childcare arrangements including asking relatives, friends or nurseries to care for
children if schools close.”
“Employers could also consider allowing employees to take their holiday entitlement, look at
the possibility of the employee working from home or agreeing time off that can be worked
back at a later date”.

Ultimately, if none of the above applies, then employees have a legal right to take a
reasonable amount of unpaid time off to cope with an emergency involving a dependant.

Citation’s Employment Law Consultants and 24/7 Helpline advisors support clients throughout
any Employment Law process, providing advice and guidance at all stages. If you are worried
that your business is not properly conforming to current employment law, then a Citation
employment law Consultant can help.

Operating throughout the UK since 1995, Citation provides professional advice and compliance
packages to business clients. Independently endorsed at the highest level its market leading
services provide guaranteed protection in the high risk areas of employment law and health &
safety regulations.

For more information about Citation and the services it provides, visit the Citation website at
http://www.citation.co.uk/employmentlaw or call 0845 844 1111.