2003 was a busy year for HR professionals as a number of new employment law developments emerged. This handy reminder, drawn from content which appeared on HR Zone in the last few months, will help you comply with the key regulations.
For very recent and forthcoming employment law developments, take a look at the news and features in the brand new employment law channel on HR Zone.
December
New employment laws come into force
A round-up of recent laws.
New revised code of practice on equal pay
While the Code is not binding, an employment tribunal may take into account an employer’s failure to act on its provisions.
The new mobile phone law
It is now an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving, with employers potentially responsible for offences committed by employees as part of their work.
Consultation on employment tribunal regulations
Draft regulations have been issued on the revised Employment Tribunals Rules. The Government is also inviting views on the reforms which aim to improve the efficiency of the tribunal process, with focus on resolving disputes through conciliation in the first instance.
Employment Relations Bill introduced into the House of Commons
A summary of the measures contained in the Bill.
Draft disability Bill published
The draft Bill introduces a legal duty on public bodies to promote disability equality and extends the definition of disability to cover people with long term progressive conditions.
Sexual orientation discrimination
The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, which outlaw discrimination in employment and vocational training on the grounds of sexual orientation are now force.
Religious discrimination
New laws to prevent discrimination in the workplace on grounds of religion or belief are also now in force. Take a look at the Practical tips on the new discrimination regulations and the ACAS guides on sexual orientation and religion
Data protection code issued on workers’ health
A draft of the fourth, and final, part of the Employment Practices Data Protection Code has been issued.
October
Minimum wage increase
The minimum wage rose from £4.20 to £4.50 on 1 October.
Management of Health and Safety at Work and Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
The regulations have been changed to allow employees and employers to claim damages for breaches of the regulations.
August
Extension of Working Time Directive
On 1 August the EU Working Time Directive was extended to those sectors previously excluded from working time measures.
July
Equality and Diversity: Age Matters,
On 2 July 2003, the Government issued its long awaited consultation paper, setting out its proposals to combat age discrimination in the workplace. The Government has until 1 October 2006 to implement the age strand of the European Employment Directive (2000/78/EC) – when age discrimination in employment and vocational training will become unlawful.
So what steps can employers take to start preparing for the new legislation? In a contributed feature to HR Zone, Rachel Heenan, of law firm Beachcroft Wansbroughs, summarised the Government’s proposals to combat age discrimination and provided employers with some practical pointers. Read the feature here.
Employers face greater risk of race claims
New race regulations came into force on 19 July which give wider rights to employees. The main changes are that they introduce a new definition of indirect race discrimination, a statutory definition of racial harassment and put the onus on employers to prove they did not discriminate.
Equal pay changes come into force
Changes brought in under the Equal Pay Act 1970 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 mean that companies now face having to pay employees up to six years back-pay – instead of the previous two – and could witness a rise in the number of unequal pay claims.
Don’t forget that you can always post up an employment law related question in the Any Answers area of the site.
