Employment e-Brief – Forthcoming Changes to take effect in April 2009

The following employment law related changes will come into force from April 2009.

Statutory Dispute Resolution Procedures

On 6 April 2009 the law for handling discipline, grievance and dismissals will change.  The existing procedure will be repealed and will be replaced by a new Acas Code of Practice which will make dealing with disputes in the workplace easier for employers.

Gordons will be running seminars in February and March to explain the new system and to highlight any particular differences.  Please watch your e-briefs for details of the seminar dates.

Flexible Working

The Government plans to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of children aged 16 and under by April 2009.  Currently, the request must be made in relation to a child under 6 (or 18 if disabled).

Holidays

From 1 April 2009 statutory annual leave entitlement is increased from 24 to 28 days (inclusive of bank/public holidays).

Immigration

Tier 4 of the new points-based immigration system, which applies to students, is expected to be implemented in April 2009.

For further information please contact any member of the Employment team on 0113 227 0100.