The Pillar requires written information to be provided to the worker about his or her working conditions at the start of the employment relationship, rather than within the two months currently provided for by the Written Statement Directive. Since probation periods are significant for most employment relationships, the Pillar also adds information duties in this regard. These changes will increase awareness of rights on the part of employers and workers. They should also help reduce undeclared work.

The Pillar also goes beyond the existing acquis by introducing procedural and substantive safeguards for workers in case of dismissals. Adequate reasoning should be provided and a reasonable period of notice be respected. Moreover, the Pillar provides that workers should have access to effective and impartial dispute-resolution procedures. This can include arbitration, mediation or conciliation procedures. The Pillar also introduces the right to adequate redress in case of unjustified dismissals, such as re-instatement or pecuniary compensation. Unjustified dismissals are to be understood as those that are in breach of the rules applicable to the employment relationship in question.

High