Almost 700 people have signed a petition calling for the government to consult with businesses before introducing new regulations.

The campaign, by our sister websites HRZone.co.uk and BusinessZone.co.uk, was originally started to force the government to delay the introduction of new sexual harassment rules after it was revealed that they were laid down with no Parliamentary debate and little publicity.

Although the rules have now been implemented, the two websites are urging more entrepreneurs, HR and training professionals and anyone with an interest in the small business sector, to sign the petition on the Downing Street website, to demonstrate to ministers that employers will no longer tolerate regulation without consultation.

Dan Martin, editor of BusinessZone.co.uk, said: "We had very little time to set up our petition given the short notice provided by the government. But the level of interest shows just how firms feel about legislation being sneaked through without them being told about it.

"The government has admitted that it will cost small businesses almost £10m to comply with the new sexual harassment regulations but has provided very little information as to how they should act.

"Although we have smashed the target of 200 signatories, which we needed to force Gordon Brown to reply, I urge more small company owners and HR and training professionals to join us in calling on the government to always take the views of business into account when introducing new rules."

To add your voice to the campaign, please sign the petition before 1 May.