EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGE ALERT!

April is upon us once again — the month that looms large in the employment law calendar as the bringer of legislative change.

The following is a summary of the main legislative and rate changes. Unless indicated otherwise, these are effective from 6 April.

• Fit notes change the format and content of medical statements so as to provide information that might help a patient return to work sooner.
• Additional paternity leave and pay (in force from 6 April 2010 but only in respect of babies born (or matched for adoption) on or after 3 April 2011). Employed fathers will be able to take up to 26 weeks' Additional Paternity Leave, some of which can be paid, if the mother of the child has returned to work.
• New rates for statutory maternity pay (SMP), statutory adoption pay (SAP) and statutory paternity pay (SPP) effective on Sunday 4 April 2010 - lesser of 90% normal weekly earnings or £124.88 per week (earnings threshold for these benefits increases from £95 to £97).
• Statutory Sick Pay unchanged at £79.15 per week, though earnings threshold rises as above.
• Normal minimum pension age rises from 50 to 55, ie earliest date of taking occupational or personal pension schemes without paying extra tax.
• Minimum National Insurance contribution to achieve full basic state pension reduces to 30 years (the longer period had been discriminatory).
• Whistleblowing - with claimant’s permission, employment tribunals may forward details of claim to appropriate regulator.
  
  

Throughout this week, we will be looking at the main changes that are affecting local businesses and summarising each topic so that you can easily apply it in your business.

Should you have any questions on any of the areas, please let us know and we will make sure that it is covered in the summary.   Email your questions to emma@prestige-employment.com.