Latest News

Maternity Leave Rules to Change
Women with babies are born after 5th October 2008 will gain from the extension of employment benefits (with the exception of remuneration i.e. wages or salary) throughout the entire period of maternity leave.
New Right to Request Time off for Training
The Government has announced plans for the introduction of the right to request time off in 2008/2009 to undertake training.
National Minimum Wage to Increase
The new National minimum wages rates effective from 1st October 2008 have been published
Equal Treatment for Agency Workers
Agency workers set to receive equal treatment after 12 weeks' employment although a Directive is yet to be passed by Brussels.
Work Permit System & WRS
The Government will replace the current work permit system and has confirmed that the Workers Registration Scheme for defined EEA nationals will cease in April 2009
Information & Consultation Regulations Extended
From 1st April 2008, the Information & Consultation Regulations 2004 extended to businesses employing 50 or more employees.
Increase in Rates for SMP, SPP and SAP
SMP, SAP and SPP rates increase to £117.18 per week from, 6th April 2008
SSP Rate Increase
The weekly rate for SSP increases from £75.40 from 6th April 2008.
Increase in Cap for Calculating Redundancy Pay
A week's pay for calculating redundancy increases to £330 from 1st Feb 2008
Increase in Penalties for Employing Illegal Workers
Employers face penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal employee and now face up to 2 years in prison for knowingly employing illegal workers
Increase in Unfair Dismissal Compensation
The maximum compensatory award for Unfair Dismissal increases to £63,000
SMP, Maternity Allowance & SAP delays
Planned increases to the period during which SMP, MA and SAP payments are made have been delayed
Sex Discrimination Act changes postponed
The High Court ruled that the government has not fully implemented the EU Equal Treatment Directive, designed to protect women from sexual harassment and discrimination during pregnancy. Planned changes have now been delayed
Flexible Working Rights Extension & Pensions Bill
The Government has outlined an extension to flexible working request rights and new pension arrangements
Redundancies and collective consultation
An Employment Appeals Tribunal has decided that in the context redundancies resulting from a site closure, the employer has a duty to consult over the reason for making redundancies
SSP to be extended to Agency Workers
The Government has announced that it will legislate to enable agency workers on contracts of less than three months to obtain statutory sick pay.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) now established
The new organisation takes responsibility for promoting equality in the areas of sexual orientation, religion or belief, age and human rights.
Discipline & Grievance Procedures to be Reviewed
Current laws on dismissal, grievance and disciplinary procedures are proving problematic for employers according to the Gibbons Review. Consultation on changes is expected to result in new regulations in 2009.
New Paternity Rights Planned
Paternity rights are set to change with mothers being able to transfer some of their maternity leave to fathers.

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