The information and consultation regulations: much ado about nothing?

The Information and Consultation Regulations came into effect in April 2005. The implementation of these Regulations could result in the emergence of statutory works councils as part of the employee relations scene in the UK. They could also assist trade unions in building their membership at a workplace to strengthen a claim for full recognition. Alternatively, the Regulations could have very little impact and amount to much ado about nothing. In analysing the potential impact of the Regulations, the article draws upon EU social law, the experiences of workplace forums in South Africa and a survey conducted in Southern England on employer practices with respect to forms of employee consultation.