Welcome to Employment Edit, our regular update giving the pick of the key developments in employment law from the last couple of weeks:
- The Children and Families Act 2014 received Royal Assent on 13 March 2014. It introduces changes to flexible working from 30 June 2014, time off for fathers or partners to attend up to two antenatal appointments from 1 October 2014 and a new shared parental leave and pay system for children due or adopted on or after 5 April 2015.
- A new childcare scheme will be introduced in Autumn 2015 to give working families support with 20% of childcare costs of up to £2000 per child under 12.
- Some employment tribunal claims (including equal pay and failure to inform or consult under TUPE) are being re-classified and will attract the higher fee (£250 issue fee and £950 hearing fee for a single claimant) from 6 April 2014. More details of the changes and an explanatory note are available.
From 6 April 2014, changes to the whistleblowing regulations make members of the House of Commons (MPs) 'prescribed persons' to whom a whistleblower may, under certain circumstances, make a protected disclosure.
If you would like more information, or specific advice, please contact Roger Bull, or get in touch with your usual Burges Salmon contact.