A government proposal leaked yesterday by Lord Young to increase the unfair dismissal qualifying period to two years will come as good news to employers according to Antoneta Fernandes, Employment Solicitor at Nottingham-based law firm Fraser Brown.

She said that over the past few years there has been an increase in employees making unfair dismissal claims against their employers, a trend brought about by the depleted jobs market. A change in the law would minimise the number of these cases.

"Lord Young"s proposal to increase the unfair dismissal qualification period from one to two years will give added protection to employers. It will also deter the mounting numbers of employees bringing tactical claims against their employer knowing that an out of court settlement is the likely outcome."

"Despite this it is important to note employers can still face allegations of discrimination such as whistle blowing and trade union related dismissals. These cases are often more expensive to defend than unfair dismissal, this could lead employers to question whether the government"s proposals have gone far enough.

"Some sectors of the workforce, in particular women may not benefit from this new system as statistically they are much more likely to leave a job in under two years. However it is something all Employers will welcome and be hoping to come into force sooner rather than later."