The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has given its official welcome to the new information and consultation rights.

The new laws went live on 6 April 2008 and are designed to give staff a voice at work. The regulations apply to companies employing over 50 staff. According to the rules, these organisations now need to have systems in place to allow meaningful dialogue to take place between managers and employees.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Well-run companies have been informing and consulting their employees for years. Sensible employers know that helping staff feel valued and involved in the running of their firm or organisation gives them a more competitive edge.

"Only bad managers who insist on keeping their staff in the dark about company decisions and their futures have anything to fear from this new legislation.

"Information and consultation also provides unions with an opportunity to increase their presence in workplaces, particularly those where there are union members but where the boss has until now been refusing to engage collectively with staff."