Employment & Social Security committee member Emilie Yerby said that interpretations of the proposed disability legislation were based on a misunderstanding of the details – and stressed a public consultation was still open.
She sounded the reassuring note after businessman Jon Moulton warned ‘gold-plated’ discrimination laws could lead to job losses.
‘There is so much information that we have produced on this and we have put it all out there for people to see.
‘Some of the myths surrounding this legislation are dispelled as soon as you start to talk about it,’ said Deputy Yerby – who also yesterday addressed the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce’s regular lunch event.
‘Over the past 10 years various disability groups in Guernsey have been providing evidence of disabled people in Guernsey. There are much higher numbers than would have been assumed by the States of 10 years ago – there is a problem and we are trying to address it.’
She added: ‘During previous consultations we have been presented with incidents of serious workplace misconduct. So we do see occasional pockets of really bad employment practices that are able to continue without the implementation of discrimination legislation.’
Many jurisdictions around the world had discrimination legislation and an equality rights organisation, said Deputy Yerby, and continued to flourish with that in place.
Seeking to allay fears about the potential cost implications, she also said: ‘For example with appropriate adjustments, many of them can be made at no cost to the employer whatsoever like working hours, schedule, etc.
‘Actually most adjustments would cost less than £50. You won’t be asked to do anything that isn’t reasonable or practicable for you based on the size and scale of the business.
‘Businesses are doing similar to this already and would only have to apply it across a wider range of circumstances. Also if someone isn’t good for the role, you won’t be prevented from employing the right person.’
As yet there is no date set for when proposals could become reality, although Employment and Social Security committee vice-president Deputy Shane Langlois hinted it could be 2021.
Deputy Langlois also pointed out that these were merely proposals seeking consultation with all those concerned and were not final or a policy letter.
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