Employment Law Autumn Round-Up
There have been a number of recent announcements and changes in employment law which will affect businesses, which are summarised here.
Labour Party Intends To Scrap Employment Tribunals
Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna announced at the TUC Congress in September that a Labour Government will replace the current Employment Tribunal system with a “fairer system, so income is not a barrier to justice”. The full announcement can be read at the following link:
Labour will reform employment tribunals so income is not a barrier to justice
Time Off to Accompany a Pregnant Woman to Ante-Natal Appointments
From today, expectant fathers, or the partner of a pregnant woman, are now entitled to take unpaid time off work to attend antenatal appointments with their partner.
National minimum wage increase
From today, the national minimum wage rates will be as follows:
- Workers aged 21+ £6.50
- Workers aged 18-20 £5.13
- Workers aged 16-17 £3.79
- Apprentices £2.73
Defence Reform Act Amendment
From today, the Defence Reform Act 2014 will be amended. There will be no minimum qualification period required for an unfair dismissal claim, provided the dismissal is connected with the employee’s membership of reserve forces. The legislation amendment is not retrospective and will only be applicable when an employee’s effective termination date falls on or after 1st October 2014.
Whistle-Blowing
From today, the list of “prescribed persons” who may legitimately receive whistle-blowing complaints (subject to various conditions) will apply.
The list has been due an overhaul for some time, as several regulatory and other relevant bodies have changed name, disappeared or have been created since the list’s creation in 1999.
Amy Hallam
Employment Law Solicitor