General

1. Information and Consultation
2. Fixed Term Employees
3. Employment Tribunal Statistics
4. Most Recent Changes
5. Training
6. Letters from GP’s

1. Information and Consultation

All businesses with 50 or more employees are now required to enter into Information and Consultation arrangements with employees, including a formal agreement, if 15 or more employees request it in writing. The Company must comply with the requirements within three months of receiving the request.

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2. Fixed Term Employees

With effect from October 2008, agency workers for less than three months duration are now entitled to Statutory Sick Pay where they were not entitled previously

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3. Employment Tribunal Statistics

The number of cases in Employment Tribunals was 236,100 in 2009-10, and increase of 56% on 2008-2009. This increase was due to:

• a 90% rise from 2008-09 in the number of multiple claims;
• a 14% rise from 2008-09 in single claims; and
• the changing economic climate

The Employment Tribunal had 404,800 cases outstanding, which is up from 290,200 the previous year.

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4. Most Recent Changes

Equality 2010

This legislation is under review and reporting aspects of it are no longer being implemented.

However, major changes were implemented in October 2010 which affect the recruitment process and the questions that can be asked legally about people with disabilities.

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5. Training

A new right to request time off for training will apply from April 2010 in organisations with 250 or more staff, and from 2011 in all other organisations.

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6.GP letters

 ”Fit notes” will replace GP’s sick notes from 6 April 2011.

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