Brilliant Mr Osborne! How can you be so clueless?

I find it depressing that politicians understand so little about business. Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne announced a new scheme to the Conservative Party Conference last week which will allow staff to receive shares in a company, get some capital gains tax exemption but in return lose some of their employment rights. 


CEO: Come in Jane. I wanted to let you know that we value your performance and talents so much here at ACME Advertising that we would like to give you £20,000 of shares.

Jane: Oh that's great, I'm so excited. How does it work?

CEO: Well the good news is that the capital gains tax has been waived on the shares by the government, so you won't have to pay the tax you normally would.

Jane: Oh, OK well that's a relief I didn't know I would have had to pay tax anyway. I'm not really up on that kind of thing and we're a bit strapped for cash at the moment with having bought the new flat. I guess that means I could sell the shares now if I wanted to and get the money.

CEO: Well no, not exactly but they might be worth something one day in the future if we sell the agency and by giving you these shares we hope you're in it for the long run.

Jane: Of course, I'm very committed to ACME but what would happen if I left, do I keep the shares?

CEO: Oh no, I'm afraid not, you'd have to give them up.

Jane: Oh OK, well I'm not thinking of leaving but is there anything else I should know?

CEO: Yes, well under this new Government scheme you do have to give up some of your employment rights such as you couldn't take us to an Industrial Tribunal for unfair dismissal. Also you'd need to give up your rights over redundancy and requests for flexible working time and training. Oh yes and you need to give us twice as much notice for a firm date for your return from maternity leave but I'm sure children are the last thing on your mind, aren't they Jane?

Jane: I'm a bit confused, you say that this is a reward for my talents and to motivate me to stick with ACME and the shares aren't worth anything now but they might be one day and that it's good news because I don't have to write a cheque to the Inland Revenue but I do have to give up my employment rights. If you think I'm that valuable to the company why can't I keep my employment rights?

CEO: Well that's not really the point is it Jane, have a think about it and we can get the ball rolling on it tomorrow.

Jane: There's no need thanks, I think I'll stick with what I've got


Pure genius Mr Osborne, obviously you've never spent a day in business in your life!