Partner Article

Bureaucracy levels ‘overwhelming’

Increasingly complex health and safety legislation is leaving many businesses feeling overwhelmed by high levels of ‘spiralling bureaucracy’.

The surprising reactions to the survey by Bibby Consulting have prompted the company to call for the government to take action to improve the problems surrounding workplace bureaucracy.

Two thirds of respondents felt that human resource requirements often meant they spent more time dealing with unnecessary matters than running their business.

Many were dismayed by the prospect of dealing with ‘forever changing rules and regulations’ and more worryingly, increasing numbers had little or no faith that the government would ease their legislative burden.

Michael Slade, managing director at Bibby Consulting said: “While the survey showed that many companies felt able to handle a large amount of HR issues in-house, there were clearly areas of HR that presented real challenges to companies.

“These included disciplinary issues and tribunals which many felt were a minefield.”

The problem is getting worse for businesses due to the increasing volumes of employment laws. Many of those questioned felt that the complexities of the 2010 Equality Act were difficult to understand, and often left management in a vulnerable position.

He added: “We anticipated that some companies would express exasperation and frustration, and woe knew that some would demand that something should be done about the situation.

“But we were more than a little surprised to hear a significant number of business leaders express genuine anger or even resignation that the state of affairs was simply going to get worse.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .