3 April 2009 - Employment law changes in April 2009
A raft of changes in employment law is coming in in early April which will affect employers and employees.
Tony Bertin, Partner at Employment Relations Solicitors in Elham, Kent, said: “These changes aim to make working practices fairer. However, they come at a very difficult time for businesses. Small and medium-sized companies will be most affected as they may not have the resources of larger concerns to implement the new legislation efficiently.
“Some changes also mean increases in staff costs which are unwelcome in the present economic climate.”
Here are the main changes. Further details can be found on the Emplaw page.
Changes to grievance, disciplinary and dismissal procedures
Introduction of a new Acas Code of Practice which aims to encourage employers to resolve issues in the workplace as well as the abolition of the statutory procedures. Read our full analysis here.
Rises in statutory sick pay from 6 April
The weekly rate goes up from £75.40 to £79.15. Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay
The standard weekly rate increases from £117.18 to £123.06 after 5 April.
Increase in holiday entitlement
The minimum paid annual holiday entitlement increases on 1 April to 5.6 weeks, i.e. 28 days (including public holidays) for full-time workers. Payment in lieu is not allowed, except on termination of employment.
Flexible working
Parents with children under 17 can request flexible working. This right previously only extended to parents of children aged six and under.
National minimum wage
Employers who fail to pay the national minimum wage (currently £5.73 an hour for adults aged 22 and over, and £4.77 for those aged 18 to 21) will face a penalty of 50% of what has been underpaid. HM Revenue and Customs are being given greater powers to investigate.
Employment tribunals
Judges will now be able to sit alone on holiday pay claims. There are other detailed changes to the rules of procedure. A register is to be set up to name people or employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards.
Equality Bill
The Government plans to publish a new Equality Bill in April, which will consolidate a mass of anti-discrimination law.
END
Inquiries
Tony Bertin, Employment Relations Solicitors 01303 840001 tonybertin@employment-relations.co.uk
