'Show us the impact analysis'

Thursday 19 September 2019

The Chair of the Guernsey Institute of Directors is again calling for the consultation period into new discrimination legislation extended - and he wants the States own impact analysis released so businesses have more information to comment on.

John Clacy was disappointed the Committee for Employment and Social Security rejected a request for an extension to the consultation period this week.

The Guernsey branch of the IoD, along with the Guernsey International Business Association, the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Guernsey Industry (the G4) and the Guernsey branch of the CIPD released a joint statement asking for the extension, saying more time was needed to gain feedback from members on the proposed new legislation.

That request was rejected outright within 24 hours with ESS saying the consultation period has already been long enough and will close on 30 September as planned.

Pictured: The request for an extension to the consultation was rejected - read more HERE. 

Mr Clacy is not giving up though - and says businesses need more information before they can comment, and if the consultation period can't or won't be extended, he would like more information released into the public domain to better inform opinions. 

"We'd like to see the States own impact analysis before the consultation closes, and if they're not going to release it - why? 

"We'd still like them to extend the consultation period, but if they're not going to do so then as a minimum what they should do is release this analysis now so people can factor this in the limited time left."

Mr Clacy has taken a keen interest in the proposed anti discrimination legislation, which will have an impact on all businesses however big or small they are. As well as changes which will need to be introduced as a result of any new laws, Mr Clacy said there will be a financial impact for all employers to consider too.

"During one session they estimated a £50 cost per employee to introduce the new legislation, so as the States have c4,500 employees that would cost the States £200,000, less than the Salarie Corner works. We think that in all likelihood it will cost a lot more than this.  We would really like to see the impact analysis that backs up this claim."

ESS refused the request to extend the consultation period, saying it had been open for longer than other public consultations, as it was over the summer months to enable people to gather their thoughts in their own time. ESS is therefore expecting a good level of feedback and plans to make those changes, while still wanting to get the new laws passed by this States, before the 2020 election, planned for June. Mr Clacy thinks that is ambitious. 

"There's been a high level of engagement so far and I believe the ESS will get a significant amount of feedback and I trust ESS are open to reasoned changes.  It will be very ambitious to get the legislation agreed before the election.

"The overall aim is to introduce legislation which will be good for the island, and good for all employees, which we support. The current proposals are very progressive and significantly above that seen in the UK and we remain concerned that we are given the appropriate time for consultation and that when received this is acted on."

Pictured: John Clacy.