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By John Oates, 29 January 1999 15:10

COMMENT IT has long been a law unto itself. Long hours spent sweating over a hot keyboard are considered par for the course. But a new piece of legislation going through the UK parliament could have far-reaching implications for anyone in IT. The Fairness at Work Bill sets out new rights for workers, including equal treatment for part-time and full-time workers. All new parents - not just mothers - will be entitled to three months' leave. If more than 50 per cent of a 'bargaining unit' vote in favour of joining a union, then the employer is obliged to recognise their representation. A spokesman for the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union said: "The IT industry is notoriously badly organised in terms of union recognition. This bill will greatly improve the situation - especially in regards to individual union members." He claimed many people working in IT don't have access to proper grievance procedures, and that new flexibility in working hours too often worked in favour of employers. But the bill hasn't received universal approval. Ruth Lea, head of the Institute of Directors' policy unit, commented in a statement: "The government claims it wants to enhance the competitiveness of the British economy, but the measures proposed& are entirely at odds with the achievement of this objective. The legislation imposes a raft of new costs and burdens on firms& [and] will sap the competitiveness of British firms." But if the bill becomes law, employers will have to change the way they operate. John Monks, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, summed it up in a statement: "Companies that treat their staff well, consult them and recognise their right to have a say will always do better than those who don't. Macho management now looks as dated as flared trousers and flower power." * Silicon.com has launched the Careers Channel - a new channel devoted to all the issues effecting the working lives of IT staff.