Despite the Coalition Government promising less red tape for business (and, conversely, partly because of that promise), this winter we have already seen an avalanche of new proposals and changes to employment law, all of which will potentially affect our clients. Rarely in recent times has the pace of change been faster and in this update we begin with those changes close at hand, before turning our attention to those which are only specks on the horizon. 

We look at the annual changes to increases in compensation limits, effective from 1 February 2011.  We remind ourselves of the proposed changes to additional paternity leave coming into force in April this year (and also examine the longer term proposals announced last month to introduce a system of flexible maternity and paternity leave).  Casting our gaze further into the future, we then look at the Government’s recent confirmation that the changes to the statutory retirement provisions will indeed (no surprise) come into effect later this year. Finally we look to the Government’s long term announcement to reform the Tribunal system, which will be welcome news to motor industry employers.

Summary of Key Developments

1. Annual compensation increase.
2. Proposed changes regarding additional paternity and flexible leave.
3. Results of consultation on removing the default retirement age.
4. Planned Tribunal reform
5. Employment Appeal Tribunal case on alternative employment in redundancy selection.
6. Court of Appeal case on fair dismissals.