Staying on the right side of employment law is a must for all firms, but it can be hard to keep on top of the latest legislation when you’ve got a business to run. Here are some of the key laws that recently came into force or will be in place in the next year:
Maternity, paternity and adoption leave
From April 2011, the standard rate of statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay increased from £124.88 to £128.73 a week. And fathers can claim up to 26 weeks’ additional paternity leave, in their child’s second six months, if the mother returns to work before the end of her maternity leave period. This legislation applies to parents of babies due from 3 April 2011.
National Insurance
From April 2011, employers’ National Insurance thresholds have increased by £21 per week, and their National Insurance contributions have increased by 1%.
Retirement
The default age is being phased out under traditional arrangements from 6 April 2011. Employers can only set a compulsory retirement age if they can objectively justify that it is necessary to their business in order to achieve a legitimate aim.
Statutory Sick Pay
From April 2011, the standard rate if statutory sick pay increased from £79.15 to £81.60 per week.
Pre-employment Health Questionnaires
From October 2010, an employer’s ability to ask questions about an applicant’s health before offering them a job has been outlawed. An employer can only request this information once a job offer has been made.
Agency Workers
From October 2011, agency workers will have the same basic employment conditions after 12 weeks in a job as if they had been employed directly.
