Changes to employment law and practice led by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are normally implemented in either April of October. The reason for this is to make life easier for employers, who must ensure that their policies and procedures comply by the implementation dates - or risk significant penalties.
The main changes due to be introduced in April 2009 are:
Repeal of the Dispute Resolution Procedures - 6 April 2009
The Employment Act 2008 repeals the statutory dispute resolution procedures and related provisions dealing with procedural unfairness in dismissal cases. In their place will be a revised voluntary Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Code of Practice supported by non-statutory guidance aimed at encouraging employers and employees to resolve issues both earlier and informally. Changes are also made to the law relating to conciliation by officers of ACAS, with the removal of fixed periods for conciliation. The Employment Tribunal (ET) will have the discretion to increase or reduce an award by up to 25 per cent where either side unreasonably fails to comply with the new Code of Practice. The Code of Practice can be found at http://www.acas.org.uk/.
Contact Dean Parnell for assistance in putting in place suitable policies and procedures that are in line with the new Code or for advice on the transitional provisions that apply to cases that are ongoing as at 6 April.
The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Amendment Regulations 2008 make consequential procedural changes, resulting from the Employment Act 2008, to ET practice and also make changes with regard to default judgments, electronic communications, the withdrawal and dismissal of proceedings and Stage 1 hearings in equal value claims.
The Right to Request Flexible Working - 6 April 2009
From 6 April, the right to request flexible working arrangements is extended to those with parental responsibility for children aged 16 and under. For further information, see http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/workandfamilies/flexible-work....
Enforcement of the National Minimum Wage - 6 April 2009
The Employment Act 2008 makes changes to the way in which payment of the National Minimum Wage is enforced. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers are given wider powers of investigation and restrictions are removed on the exchange of information between HMRC and the Employment Standards Inspectorate. There will be a new penalty for employers who underpay their workers and a new method of calculating arrears that takes into account the length of time over which underpayment has occurred.
For further information, see http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/pay/national-minimum-wage/pag....
Changes to Trade Union Membership Law - 6 April 2009
The Employment Act 2008 includes changes that will bring trade union rules in line with European legislation and grant unions the right to expel or exclude members who are also members of political parties such as the British National Party.
Increase in Holiday Entitlement - 1 April 2009
In October 2007, the minimum statutory paid holiday entitlement was increased from 20 days a year to 24 days for those working a 5 day week (pro-rata for part-time workers). From 1 April, the minimum statutory annual leave entitlement will be increased to 28 days a year. Paid time off does not have to be given for bank and public holidays but, if it is, employers can include this in the holiday entitlement. For further information, see http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/holidays/index.html.
Statutory Maternity Pay - 5 April 2009
The standard weekly rate of Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay will increase from £117.18 to £123.06 for payment weeks starting on or after 5 April 2009.
Statutory Sick Pay - 6 April 2009
The weekly rate for days of sick absence commencing on or after 6 April 2009 will increase from £75.40 to £79.15.
Contact Dean Parnell if you would like advice on any employment law matter.
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