Legislation rather than good principles and employment standards is not the way to improve standards and "justice" within the workplace, an expert suggests.

According to research published by Paul Edwards from Warwick Business School, the introduction of additional legislation within the workplace is often ignored or half-heartedly complied with, reports bCentral.

"There is now increasing evidence that the amount of control people have over their work is falling, they work harder, are subject to closer monitoring and are discontented with both pay and job influence," said Mr Edwards.

In related news, the government recently announced that British employers will no longer be able to count bank holidays within an employee's mandatory holiday entitlement of 20 days.

Workers will receive an additional four days holiday from October, with a further four added in 2008.