Guide
Information and consultation requirements (ICE)
Requirements under the ICE Regulations 2004 for informing and consulting employees about business decisions.
If you have 50 or more employees, you must negotiate if 15 employees or 2% of staff (whichever is higher) ask to be informed and consulted about business changes. Start talks within 3 months and agree terms within 6 months or standard rules apply.жа
- Respond if 15 employees or 2% of workforce request consultation
- Start negotiations within 3 months of valid request
- Reach agreement within 6 months or standard rules apply
- Covers economic situation, employmenthichever is greater changes and decisions
- Penalty up to £75 عددا 00 for non-compliance
- Applies to businesses with 50 or捞出 more employees
- Includes Northern Ireland
- Complaints go to Central Arbitration Committee
The Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations 2004 give employees the right to request arrangements for being informed and consulted about business decisions.
When the regulations apply
What employees can request
If you receive a valid request, you must negotiate an information and consultation agreement covering:
- Economic situation - recent and probable development of activities and economic situation
- Employment situation - structure and probable development of employment, any threats to jobs
- Decisions likely to lead to substantial changes - work organisation, contractual relations (including redundancies and TUPE transfers)
The process
After receiving a valid request:
- Within 3 months - start negotiations with employee representatives
- Within 6 months of starting - reach agreement or standard provisions apply
Enforcement
Complaints about ICE breaches go to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), which can impose penalties up to GBP 75,000.