Several changes to employment law have come in to effect from 6th April 2010. Please find several of these changes below.
Additional paternity leave for fathers
The Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 entitles fathers or partners of mothers or adopters to take up to 26 weeks maternity leave in the first year of their child’s life or the first year after the adoption. This will affect parents to children whose expected week of birth is on or after 3rd April 2011. There are a number of conditions to these regulations and employers should take note of the changes. This links to changes to paternity pay.
Number of years' contribution required to achieve a full basic state pension reduced
A full basic state pension can now be achieved after 30 years contribution.
Minimum pension age rises to 55
The minimum age at which people can start to receive pension payments has risen from 50 to 55.
Employee Study and Training Regulations 2010
A statutory right has been introduced where employees working in organisations of 250 people or more are able to make a request for study and training. Employers are obliged to consider these requests seriously but will be able to refuse a request where there is a good business reason for doing so. Employers who do not abide by these regulations or refuse a request without a good business reason for doing so, can face financial penalties amounting to 8 weeks full pay.
There are several other important changes that have been made with regards to Employment Law. Employers should regularly update their employment law knowledge to ensure they continue to abide by the current regulations.