As ever there are likely to be significant changes to employment law this year. The key dates to watch out for are as follows:-
February
From 1st February
- the maximum "week's" pay (for unfair dimissal and redundancy purposes particularly) will rise from £400 to £430
- the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will rise from £68,400 to £72,300
- guarantee pay will increase from £22.20 to £23.50 a day
April
From 1st April
- Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay as well as maternity allowance to increase from £128.73 to £135.45 per week
From 6th April
- Statutory sick pay to increase from £81.60 to £85.85 per week
- Qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase from 1 year to 2 years for new employees. (Existing employees at that date will retain the right to bring a claim after 1 year).
- Significant tribunal reforms expected such as:
- Witness statements will be taken as read rather than being read out loud
- Employment Judges to hear unfair dismissal cases alone, unless directed otherwise
- Maximum costs orders to increase from £10,000 to £20,000
- Powers to direct the parties to a dispute can be responsible for witness expenses; and the losing party to reimburse the successful party for expenses they have already paid out.
June
- Additional bank holiday on 5th June to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The late May bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4th June to create a long weekend.
October
- Pensions auto-enrolment begins - this will be introduced over 4 years with large employers required to comply first.