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    April 2009 - new law

    A variety of employment law changes came into effect in early April 2009.


    Here is a list of the most significant:


    1. Dispute resolution procedures (go to Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures - 2009 changes ).
      A new semi-voluntary ACAS Code of Practice replaces the ill-fated 2004 compulsory dispute resoution procedure rules.

    2. Holidays (go to Holidays/2007 changes ).
      Phasing in of increased entitlement to annual holiday is completed - 28 days for full time employees, pro rata less for less.

    3. Flexible working(go to Flexible Working/2003 rules ).
      Increase from 6 to 16 in age of children whose parents will normally have the legal right to request flexible working.

    4. Employment Agencies (go to Employment Agencies/enforcement and prohibition orders ).
      Increased powers for the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate.

    5. Enforcement of employment tribunal awards (go to Employment tribunals/enforcement of tribunal awards ).
      Requirement removed for a tribunal award to be registered in the County Court (or High Court) as a pre-condition of enforcement.

    6. Employment Tribunals (go to Employment tribunals/enforcement of tribunal awards ).
      Detailed changes to the rules of procedure plus proposals for holiday pay claims to be heard by an employment judge sitting alone.

    7. Statutory Maternity Pay etc. (go to Maternity/statutory maternity pay ).
      Weekly main rate of SMP (and Statutory Adoption and Paternity Pay) increased to £123.06 (from £117.18) and of Statutory Sick Pay to £79.15 (from £75.40).

    8. Minimum wage enforcement (go to Minimum Wage/enforcement ).
      The current £5,000 limit to the maximum fine is abolished.

    9. Work Permits (go to Immigration/work permits/a general note ).
      Tougher tests for tier 1 and tier 2 immigrants from non-EU countries.

    10. Equality Bill (go to Bills before Parliament/Equality Bill ).
      The government proposes to publish its big Equality Bill in April. Amongst other things this is intended to consolidate a mass of anti-discrimination law.

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    prepared April2009