Another year, more employment law changes to anticipate. Lisa Davies identifies the main changes currently anticipated for 2005:

Information and Consultation Directive

Giving employees new rights to be informed and consulted about issues that affect their employment and the prospects of the business, from 6th April 2005, the Directive will apply to organisations with 150 or more employees and therefeafter, organisations with 100 or more members of staff in 2007 and those with 50 or more employees in 2008.

Contact Campbell or Stuart for more information, a discussion about your organisation or to book your place at one of our seminars.

Increases in SMP, SPP, SAP and SSP Rates ? From April 2005

Statutory rates of maternity, paternity and adoption pay will increase from £102.80 to £106.00 and the earnings threshold will increase from £79.00 to £82.00. The standard rate for statutory sick pay will also increase from £102.80 to £106.00 and the earnings threshold will increase from £66.15 to £68.20.

Employer Supported Childcare: Tax and National Insurance Exemptions

From 5th April 2005, eligible employees will be able to receive up to £50 a week tax free for childcare costs. This includes registered child minders, nurseries, out of hours school clubs and approved child minders working in the child's own home, but does not include family members. The £50 contribution will be free of both tax and employer and employee national insurance contributions.

For more information please contact Lisa on 01494 435 310 or email lisa@hradvantage.co.uk

Tribunal Awards

From February, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal increases from £55,000 to 56,800. The maximum amount of 'a week's pay' in calculating unfair dismissal or redundancy payments increases from £270 to £280.

Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE)

The long awaited regulations to clarify the rules surrounding TUPE are now expected in 2005. The issues to be dealt with include: a review of the rules about when TUPE applies; protection of occupational pension rights; clarification of the economic, technical or organisational (ETO) defence; and variation of contracts for an ETO reason.

National Minimum Wage

A further increase to the minimum wage rate is likely in October.

Age Discrimination - Equal Treatment Framework Directive

Regulations covering age discrimination are required by December 2006. Consultation is expected in 2005.

For an informal discussion about your particular situation, or for further information on any of the above, please contact Lisa Davies on 01494 435 310 or email lisa@hradvantage.co.uk

January 2005