Totally agreed David, the whole process needs to be simplified for both groups.

I completely agree Peter. Business ethics are everything. But there are occasions where employees don’t have that ethic – that can be where it costs the business owner in dealing with discipline issues. Let’s just make it easier and less costly for small business owners to be able to deal with this in a rational manner rather than have to engage a “consultant” because the regulations are so complex.

As a veteran of 20 years self employment and small a business owner, I always respected my staff.
For businesses who are unable to grasp the idea of mutual respect for people who work in the organisation, you have to ask whether they have the ethics and responsibility to be in business in the first place. It is only fair that is someone gives up the time in life to support a company or business that they are respected and listened too in regards to their terms of employment. Ethics are relevant despite the perceived cost.

I agree, but from the other point of view. Small business owners have to go through all the hoops that big business has to, but the relative costs of doing this are awful. Improve things for those of us who work for big businesses and improve things for those of us that own small businesses.