News

The Ministry of Justice is currently consulting on the proposed fees payable to bring a case to employment tribunals and to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). The aim is to encourage both sides to give greater consideration to the strength of their case before commencing legal action.

Parental Leave Directive 2010 changes

The changes to statutory rates have now been announced.

This year's Absence Management survey by the CIPD and Simplyhealth reveals that stress is now the main cause of long-term sickness absence for both manual and non-manual workers.

New figures show the ongoing trend for falls in the number of people injured and made unwell at work has continued.

The HSE has issued a note to the effect that all UK suppliers should immediately cease the supply of non-standard fitments to brush-cutters e.g. chain flail attachments, whether or not intended for "professional use".

Retail giant Marks and Spencer has been fined £1 million and ordered to pay costs of £600 000 after workers and shoppers were potentially exposed to asbestos-containing materials.

GPs will no longer sign workers off on long term sick leave if the government accepts recommendations to pass this responsibility onto independent assessors.

On 3 November 2011, the Pensions Bill received royal assent. Among other provisions, the Pensions Act 2011 makes changes to the Pensions Act 2008 and finalises the primary legislation for workplace pension reform.

As part of its planned reform of employment law in this country, the government is proposing to allow employers to have full and frank discussions with employees without the risk of those conversations being used in a claim at an employment tribunal.

Whilst the State Pension Age for women will still increase to 65 by 2018, Government plans to increase this to 66 (for both sexes) are to be delayed by six months.

The government has proposed that as of 6th April 2012, employees will require two years's continuous service before they are legally entitled to raise an unfair/constructive dismissal claim.

A change to health and safety regulations means employers only need report absences of seven days or more following a work injury

Employee unfairly dismissed for working in second job while on sick leave.

Statistics suggest the recent surge in cases is over but employers should remain vigilant as law changes take effect.

A change to health and safety regulations means employers only need report absences of seven days or more following a work injury

A recent Court of Appeal decision has provided some guidance on how an employer should deal with a reference request when allegations about an ex-employee come to light after they have left.

As from 1^st October, there is no longer a default retirement age.

The advisory fuel rates issued by HMRC for mileage in company cars have been revised from 1st September. The revised rates are as follows:

As previously highlighted, these Regulations come into force in Great Britain on 01 October 2011

HSE has recently launched its consultation on plans to extend cost recovery for breaches of health and safety law. HSE are planning to recover all of the costs it incurs following action taken helping businesses to comply where they are breaking health and safety law.

The HSE Infoline telephone information service will end on 30 September 2011.

The new standard – BS8599 comes into force on the 30th June 2011, with a transitional introduction period until 31st December 2011.

The recent announcement of the closure of the News of the World, after 168 years in print, took the world by surprise - of all of the twists and turns of the phone hacking scandal, this one was not foreseen.

A company director has been found liable for sex discrimination after dismissing a pregnant employee.  The decision highlights the fact that an individual can be personally liable for a discriminatory dismissal.