Key Changes in 2010 and What to Expect for 2011?

2010

Perhaps the key change in 2010 was the implementation of the Equality Act on 1st October 2010 which saw the consolidation of all anti discrimination law into one Act. This one Act now prohibits discrimination, harassment or victimisation for a reason connected to any of the protected characteristics being age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

The additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 were also introduced which will give fathers, who are eligible, the right to take up to 6 months leave to care for a child if the mother chooses to return back to work without using her full entitlement to maternity leave. This will be available to parents of children due (or adoptive parents notified of a match) on or after 3rd April 2011.

For large organisations with 250 or more employees, a new right for employees to request time off to undertake study or training was introduced. It was intended that this would be extended to all employees as from April 2011 but this is currently under review.

Looking Ahead

2011 will see an ongoing area of dispute resolved once and for all. The default retirement age will be abolished on 1st October 2011. This means that employers will not automatically be able to fairly dismiss employees when they reach the age of 65 if they follow the statutory procedure. Employees will only be retired if an employer can satisfy the standard test of objective justification for direct age discrimination and this will certainly be more difficult to show.

Agency workers will benefit from greater protection as from 1st October 2011 when the Agency Workers Regulations come into force. This will provide temporary agency workers the right to be treated equally in comparison with permanent workers regarding basic working conditions. Agency workers will be protected once they have completed a 12 week qualifying period.

Special Offer

The Employment team at Geoffrey Leaver is keen to support its clients with the changes in employment law and the complex legal issues employers face on a daily basis. Kicking off the new year with a positive start we are offering clients an in-house half day seminar on “Essentials of Employment Law” for the reduced cost of £500 plus VAT (normal costs £750 plus VAT).

The seminar is aimed at all levels of managers and will provide an overview of all relevant employment law.

Group sizes can be up to 10 people therefore costs can be as little as £50 plus VAT per delegate. This seminar will provide your managers with practical guidance and understanding of the legal issues they face on a daily basis.

The course topics include:

• Employees’ Terms & Conditions of Employment
• Disciplinary procedure
• Grievance procedure
• Discrimination
• Maternity rights
• Paternity rights
• Parental leave
• Time off for dependants
• Flexible working
• Part-time workers
• Working Time Regulations
• Retirement

If you do not have the facilities to host a seminar at your premises, then we can host it in our boardroom at no extra cost.

For further information or to arrange a seminar, please contact Nina Fountain on 01908 689340.