Employment Law in 2012 – What’s Coming Up?

1 February

• new tribunal award limits come into force

6 March

1. consultation closes on fees in tribunals and the EAT

April

• expected that qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase to 2 years

• various tribunal reforms to take effect, e.g. increase in deposit orders and costs awards

• unpaid parental leave to increase to 4 months

• working time rules to be amended to allow holiday to be carried forward in limited circumstances

• maternity/paternity/adoption pay increases

• SSP increases

October

• pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers

• national minimum wage may increase, depending on what the Low Pay Commission recommends in February

Developments with no confirmed date but likely to be progressed in 2012

• penalties for employers who breach of employment rights

• early compulsory ACAS conciliation of all tribunal claims

• amendment of whistleblowing rules so that disclosures about breaches of employment contracts are no longer covered

• compromise agreements to be simplified

• consultation on ‘protected conversations’ between employers and staff about employment issues without risk of dispute

• consultation on rapid resolution scheme as alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes

• Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code to be ‘looked at’ with a view to a simpler dismissal process