New Employment Legislation Now in Force - October 2007
The 1st of October 2007 brought with it a number of key changes to employment law.
Statutory annual leave increases - Working Time (Amendment) Regulations 2007.
A key change for all is the introduction of the first phase of the increase in statutory minimum holiday entitlement. As of the 1st of October, full time workers are entitled to 24 days paid annual leave each year. From the 1st of April 2009, this will increase to 28 days. The entitlement for part time workers is calculated on a pro rata basis.
Increases to the minimum wage - National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2007.
Workers aged 22 and over will see their hourly rate increase from £5.35 to £5.52. Those aged 18 - 21 will see an increase from £4.45 to £4.60 and for people under 18 years of age but no longer of compulsory school age, the rate will rise from £3.30 to £3.40.
Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2007.
These Regulations amend the definition of "adopter" and extend the statutory right to request flexible working from their employer to those who privately foster a child.
The Equality Act 2006 (Dissolution of Commissions and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007.
In order to make way for the establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), this order dissolves the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and transfers their powers to the CEHR.
For more information please contact:
Glasgow: Paul Brown or Michael McLaughlin
Edinburgh: Alan Strain
The information contained in this article is given for general information only and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter.