> The balance between employer and employee most > definitely is weighted in the employee's favour... I acknowledge that society has progressed from the days of serfdom under feudalism and that workers now enjoy much greater employment protection. And, if the law appears weighted in favour of the employee (though I do not believe that it is), then this has to be down to necessity: the employee is the weaker party to a contract where there is unequal bargaining power. A consequence of this inequality of bargaining power means that the dominant party (the employer) is in the superior position of laying down terms favourable to himself. This means that, in reality, the employee cannot exercise his free will and may well be compelled to accept terms which are correspondingly less favourable - possibly even detrimental. Thus, employers have the advantage in that it is generally they who dictate the terms and conditions of any employment contract: it is they who hold the power to effectively exert control and authority over their employees' lives. This potentially exposes their employees to abuse, exploitation and/or other unreasonable/unfair treatment. This is why our employment legislation has evolved and continues to do so. Sure, the system is not perfect and is open to perversion - as it is in other other areas of law. But it exists to somehow provide some sort of balance between the conflicting interests of the employer to manage and operate his business as he wishes and those of the employee to be treated equitably. It also prevails so that a more level playing field may be created. Bye the way, if you think that employers have it hard here, try running your business in France!