Upcoming Legislation
We have created this easy to read timetable to keep you up to date with all the upcoming changes coming into place in the next few months. For further information on any of the legislation changes please give us a call at our offices.
Every care has been taken in compiling these notes which are for general guidance only. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.
| Forthcoming Employment Law Changes | What this means: | Date: |
|---|---|---|
| EU blue-card Directive must be implemented | The Directive defines conditions of entry and residence for more than three months of people who are not EU citizens and how to apply to be admitted to the EU for the purpose of high-qualified employment. Such people will be issued with an “EU blue card”. | 19th June 2011 |
| The Bribery Act 2010 | The Bribery Act 2010 introduces new anti-corruption regulations that will affect all employers. The Bribery Act makes it a criminal offence to give, promise or offer a bribe and to request, agree to agree to receive or accept a bribe either at home or abroad. The penalty is an unlimited fine. The legislation raises the maximum penalty for bribery by individuals from seven to 10 years? imprisonment. | 1st July 2011 |
| Equal treatment for agency workers | The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 give agency workers the same basic employment conditions after 12 weeks in a given job as if they had been employed directly by the Employer. | 01st October 2011 |
| National minimum wage increases to £6.08 per hour | The main rate of the national minimum wage rises from £5.93 to £6.08 per hour. The development rate increases from £4.92 to £4.98 per hour, the rate for workers aged 16 to 17 from £3.64 to £3.68 per hour, and the apprentice rate from £2.50 to £2.60 per hour. | 01st October 2011 |
| Parental leave increases from three to four months | The minimum parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child increases from three to four months. At least one of the four months will not be transferable between parents. | 8 March 2012 |