IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN...

As we pull out of the long, cold, dark Winter and head towards Spring, light evenings, and the prospect of a warm Summer to come (if you’re optimistic that is !), don’t forget it’s not only the birds and the bees that are springing into life.  Over the past 5 years or so, this time of year has become the season of change in Employment Law.

The 1st of February each year hails routine increases in a Week’s Pay for calculating statutory redundancy pay and Employment Tribunal Basic Awards (£290 to £310 per week), and increases in the maximum Compensatory Award for unfair dismissal cases (£58,400 to £60,600). 

More significantly however, the beginning of April each year marks the implementation of major changes in the law.  On 6 April 2006, we saw changes to the existing law affecting business acquisition / transfers from the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.  On 1 April 2007 the Work & Families Act 2006 comes in to force, extending the right to Additional Maternity Leave, increasing maternity pay from 26 to 39 weeks, and introducing new “keeping in touch” days for employees during their leave.

Then, before you’ve time to catch your breath, in comes new Flexible Working provisions, extending the rights first introduced in April 2003.  On 6 April 2007, qualifying employees will have the right to request flexible working arrangements not just to care for children, but also any person over 18 years old who is married to or the civil partner of the employee, their relative, or even someone who lives at the same address.

The 2003 Flexible Working changes clearly had a big impact, and no doubt the new changes will continue that trend.  Studies suggest that some 47% of new mothers now work flexibly (compared to 17% in 2002), and even 31% of fathers do likewise (compared to 11%).  However, don’t panic.  There are real benefits to employers as well as employees.  Statistics show that changes to work practices which improve the work/life balance tend to reduce absenteeism, staff turnover, and to improve both morale and productivity.  It will be interesting to see how employers cope with the new changes, particularly as the peak age for requiring care is 45 to 64 years, inevitably meaning that more senior and experienced employees will consider making use of these new rights.  The key to success will therefore depend on the strategies you use to be a more innovative employer.

If you have a small or medium sized business and have not yet made the leap to employing full time Personnel or Human Resources staff, how on earth do you keep up with the seemingly relentless wave of changes and evermore burdensome requirements?  One option is to effectively outsource such work, and to let someone else do the worrying for you.  At Sandersons, we can provide you with immediate, accessible and up to the minute advice and support, leaving you to manage the basic administrative aspects of being an employer, and to do what you do best … concentrating on making your business an even bigger success! 

You won’t get a faceless individual on a call centre each time you call, and you won’t be put in an automated queuing system with brainwashing marketing information or ‘muzak’ whilst you wait in the vain hope of speaking to a ‘real’ person.  At Sandersons, you’ll only get fully qualified, professional advice from the same individuals each time you call.  We’re easy to talk to and always use a flexible approach.  But don’t worry about the cost … we have packages available so that you can call us whenever suits you, at a price you can afford (and it won’t cost anything like even one full time HR professional).

Our aim is to better understand you and your business, so that we can give you the best possible legal and practical advice to suit your individual circumstances.  We can even assist with complying with Health & Safety requirements, to minimise your Employer’s Liability Insurance premiums, and help to head-off potential claims before they begin.

For more information contact: 

Stephen Dixon or Elaine Carson.

Sandersons Solicitors

17-19 Parliament Street

Hull

HU1 2BH

Tel:  01482 324662

Email:  enquiries@sandersonssolicitors.co.uk

Source:  Commerce & Industry, April 2007