A range of employment law reforms came into force in April 2012. Perhaps the most important of the Government’s employment law reforms, the increase in the unfair dismissal qualifying period, took effect on 6 April. Other changes in April include new rates of statutory maternity pay and sick pay and amendments to the tribunal rules of procedure.
On 1 April Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Additional Paternity, Adoption Pay and Maternity Allowance increased from £128.73 to £135.45 per week. Statutory Sick Pay increased from £81.60 to £85.85 on 6 April. Other changes that took place on 6 April include:
- Judges being able to sit alone in unfair dismissal cases;
- Tribunal rules being amended to enable employment judges and tribunals to order a party to pay a witness’s expenses in attending a tribunal; take witness statements as read unless an employment judge or tribunal directs otherwise; increase the maximum costs order from £10,000 to £20,000; and increase deposit orders for weak claims from £500 to £1,000;
- changes to guidance on tribunal application and response forms to include the average value of awards and time taken to reach a hearing; and
- changes to the immigration rules, including limiting the stay of temporary Tier 2 migrants to a maximum of 6 years, and removing the ability of overseas domestic workers to change employer. See our news story of 2 March for further details.
For a free initial meeting please call 01202 499255 and Kate or Paul will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.