The first half of 2010 sees the introduction of some wide ranging changes in employment legislation across the UK.  Youmanage will issue more guidance on some of these changes in the next couple of months:

From February 2010

Reduction in unfair dismissal compensation limits

• For the first time ever, compensation limits for unfair dismissal are being reduced - from £66,200 to £65,300.  The new limits will take effect when the ‘event' that contributed to the unfair dismissal claim happens on or after 01 February.

From April 2010

Increase in statutory payments 

• The standard rates for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay increase to £124.88 per week (SSP remains at £79.15 per week) from 04 April.

Change to the ‘Sick note' procedure

• The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and SSP (Medical Evidence) Amendment Regulations 2010 will replace the current ‘sick note' system with a ‘fit note'.  This allows a GP to record whether someone is fit or not for work, but also to record a new option - indicating whether someone may be ‘fit for some work now'.  The fit note will outline what work the employee can do, and is intended to help people stay in work or return to work rather than drift into long term sick leave.  The new process has been developed by health care professionals, trades unions and employer representative bodies and will roll out across the UK from April.  Some details of exactly how the new scheme will work are still to be announced.

Additional Paternity Leave and Pay

• Legislation comes into effect from April allowing qualifying parents to benefit from additional paternity leave and pay.  If a mother returns to work before the end of her maternity leave period, the child's father (or partner of the mother) will be able to take up to 26 weeks' additional paternity leave, and may receive paternity pay (dependant on how much maternity pay the mother has received) at the same rate as statutory maternity pay.  This additional leave can be taken in the second six months of the child's life (the first six months being for the mother to take maternity leave). This legislation will apply for children born after 03 April 2011.

Additional Paternity Leave and Pay - for Adoptive parents

• Additional Paternity Leave and Pay will also be available to adopters.  Where a couple adopt a child and the recipient of the adoption pay returns to work before the end of the adoption leave period, the other parent may benefit from this leave, and in some circumstances adoption pay.  The regulations do not apply to overseas adoptions.

The Right to Request time off for Training

• For organisations with more than 250 employees, the government will introduce new legislation, from April, to allow these employees to apply for time off to undertake training to benefit their role.  The company is obliged to seriously consider each request, but may refuse it based on a genuine business reason (this works in a similar way as the right to request flexible working).  There is no obligation however for the company to meet the cost of this training.  This right may be extended to all organisations, regardless of numbers of employees, in 2011.

Reduction in contributions required for a full State Pension

• From 06 April, the number of years' contribution required for a full state pension reduces to 30 years for both men and women.