Redundancy happiness laughable

Stress

Plans to force firms to monitor the emotional wellbeing of workers facing the chop have been described as "laughable" by local MEP Paul Nuttall.

The proposal will oblige any firm considering redundancies to monitor the “psycho-social health” of its staff.

The EU is to vote later this year on the plan contained in a European Parliament employment and social affairs committee document.

It also includes ensuring firms  examine the impact of job cuts on local communities.

"Businesses, particularly small firms, are struggling to survive in the harsh economic climate and the last thing that is needed is more red tape," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

"They are already swamped with EU rules and regulations and this is
yet more interference. This country desperately needs to fight its way out of the recession and this is not the way to go about it.

"It is small business that will get this country back on track and create much needed jobs," said Mr Nuttall.

Draft proposals from the EU committee say: “Companies shall monitor...the psycho-social health of employees affected by restructuring processes.

“Companies shall create tools for the regular evaluation and reporting on their restructuring practices, in co-operation with employees’ representatives and the external organisations involved in that process.”