The majority (63%) of respondents think the government’s proposal for owner-employee schemes is a bad idea, according to a poll by YouGov.
The employee-owner schemes, which were announced by Chancellor George Osborne on 8 October, would require employees to give up employment rights, such as wrongful dismissal, the right to redundancy pay and the right to ask for flexible working, to receive between £2,000 and £50,000 worth of shares in the company they work for.
The research also found:
- 46% of respondents who are Tory supporters said it is a bad idea to allow companies to offer the schemes, while 37% think it is a good idea.
- 79% of respondents who are Labour Party voters said it is a bad idea, while only 9% think it is a good idea.
- 64% of respondents who are Liberal Democrats said it is a bad idea, and 25% think it is a good idea.
Laurence Janata-Lipinski, political research manager at YouGov, said: “George Osborne is clearly trying to present an idea that strikes a balance by enabling employers to fire people more easily, while at the same time giving employees considerable benefits for giving up some of their rights.
“However, the public opposition to this proposal would indicate that the Chancellor has a considerable amount of work to do to convince people that this is a good idea.”
