Employment Law 2009

Legislation relating to employment, can be a minefield.

Here are some of the areas where changes are expected this year:

:: Statutory Redundancy Pay as well as the increase in tribunal awards. Since 1 February, redundancy pay has increased to a maximum of £350 per week.

:: Statutory Dismissal Procedure, which will be replaced by a new approach using the revised ACAS code.

:: A bill will be introduced to tidy up all the various bits of equality and discrimination legislation.

:: From 1st April, Working Time Regulation changes are implemented to increase the minimum holiday entitlement to 5.6 weeks (28 days).

:: The right to request flexible working is extended to parents who have children aged 16 or under from 1 April 2009.

:: On 5 April 2009, the standard rate of pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave will increase to £123.06 a week.

:: On 6 April 2009, the Statutory Sick Pay rate increases to £79.15.
:: The right to request time off for training will be introduced during the course of the year.

:: The National Minimum Wage rules will be changed to stop tips being included in staff wages in the leisure and hospitality industry.