Employment Law Developments

A General Election and a new coalition Government has failed to stall these forthcoming new employment law developments:

Additional paternity leave - April 2010
The right to additional paternity leave. Fathers will be able to take up to six months additional leave in the second six months of their child’s life where the mother has returned to work. Applies in respect of children due on or after 3 April 2011.The new rights also apply to adoptions.

Right to request time off for training - 6 April 2010
The right for employees to request time away from their mainstream duties to undertake relevant training once they have worked for their employer for 26 weeks.

The fit note - 6 April 2010
Traditional sick notes were replaced by the new ‘fit note’ which enables doctors to suggest ways of employees returning to work e.g. phased return

The National Minimum Wage - 1 October 2010
The national minimum wage will increase as follows Standard (adult) rate £5.93 (rising from £5.80).
Development rate £4.92 (rising from £4.83).
Young workers rate £3.64 (rising from £3.57).

Equality Act 2010 - 1 October 2010
The Equality Act is intended to harmonise the different strands of discrimination law. Most of the provisions will be in force in October 2010 but it is still unclear whether the provisions on gender pay reporting will be implemented.

The Agency Workers Directive - 5 December 2011
The regulations give agency workers the same rights and employment conditions as permanent staff after a period of 12 weeks. Draft regulations were published in October 2009 and have been put before Parliament. Implementation is likely to be October 2011.

Source dwf.co.uk