Employment law update

Unfair dismissal

The government is pressing ahead with its plans to increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims. The proposed legislation will mean that in most cases, those employed on or after 6 April 2012 will need two years’ continuous service before they can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. The current qualifying period (which applies to those employed up to 5 April) is one year’s continuous service.

Statutory maternity, paternity, additional paternity, adoption pay & maternity allowance

From 9 April, these increase from £128.73 to £135.45 per week

Statutory sick pay

From 9 April, increases from £81.60 to £85.85 pw.

Awards limits

From 1 February, the limits on certain employment tribunal awards and other amounts payable under employment legislation increased. Notable changes are:

• the limit on the amount of a week’s pay for the purposes of calculating, among other things, statutory redundancy payments and the basic award for unfair dismissal rose from £400 to £430
• the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal rose from £68,400 to £72,300.

As always, if you need commercial and pragmatic employment law advice, we’re here to help so please get in touch.

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