February 01, 2012
Provisions Criterions and Practices
Reasonable adjustments have to be made where a provision, criterion or practice puts a disabled employee at a substantial disadvantage. In a recent case the EAT has ruled that the PCP does not have to directly apply to the disabled person. It is sufficient that they are affected by it to their disadvantage. In this case the PCP was hot desking. The employee was not required to hot desk himself but the practice did put him at a disadvantage as it meant that he did not have a guaranteed desk which exacerbated his mental health condition.
Pensions Auto-Enrolment Delays
The DWP has published revised dates for the implementation of pensions auto-enrolment benefiting smaller business whose implementation dates will now fall between 01 June 2015 and 01 April 2017.
New Redundancy Rate from 1st February 2012
From 1st February the statutory redundancy maximum rose to £430. Therefore employees made redundant after 1st February will be entitled to be paid for the number of complete years worked multiplied by the relevant age factor at either their gross week wage or £430 which ever is the lower.
2 year qualifying period for unfair dismissal
It is a certainty that the qualifying employment period for an employee to bring an unfair dismissal will be increased to 2 years from April this year. What is still a mystery are the transitional provisions. There are unconfirmed provisions that mean the new qualifying period will only apply to new starters and that those already in employment will retain their 1 year qualifying period. This would make sense and reflects what the Government did last time they changed the qualifying period. Waldrons Employment team will keep you posted.
Waldrons Employment Breakfast 15th March 2012 (8am to 10am)
If you haven’t booked your place yet for our first Employment Breakfast of the year make sure you return your booking form and payment to Hannah as soon as possible. If you would like to come and have not received a booking form or invite email please email h.scott@waldrons.co.uk
Specialised Training For Your Business
Don’t miss out on Waldrons Diversity Training (£300 plus vat for up to 25 employees) or The Benefits of Mediation course for managers (Free). For more information email Hannah at h.scott@waldrons.co.uk
Hannah Scott, Employment Solicitor
h.scott@waldrons.co.uk Waldrons Solicitors
Wychbury Court
Two Woods Lane
Merry Hill DY5 1TA
Tel: 01384 811811
Fax: 01384 811833
