Employment

New employment tribunal rules will cut ‘unnecessary demands’ on employers, says government

Changes, that include an increase in the qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal from one to two years, will save employers more than £50m.

Evaluation of the ‘fit note’ from GPs

New DWP research report explores the experiences and outcomes of the 'fit note' from the perspectives of employers and employees.

Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (Tribunal Composition) Order 2012

New statutory instrument amends section 4(3) of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 so as to enable proceedings in respect of unfair dismissal to be heard by an Employment Judge alone.

Qualifying period for right not to be unfairly dismissed and to statement of reasons for dismissal

New statutory instrument increases, from one year to two years, the qualifying period of continuous employment needed for entitlement to written statement of reasons for dismissal and to acquire the right not to be unfairly dismissed, with transitional provision for employees whose period of employment begins before 6 April 2012.

Council of the City of Sunderland v Brennan & Ors

[2012] EWCA Civ 413

Around 2.7 million workers at increased risk of losing jobs when unfair dismissal law changes

TUC warns that an increase in qualifying period for protection from unfair dismissal will increase job insecurity, discriminate against younger workers, part-time women workers and employees from black and ethnic communities.

New £75m Growth Wales project to create 12,000 temporary jobs

Unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds will be offered six months paid work and Welsh government will cover the cost of a minimum wage salary and the employer's National Insurance contribution, reports bbc.co.uk.

Employment Law Update

Issue 123 of Garden Court Chambers' Employment Law Bulletin is now available.

Minimum 12 month duration for all apprenticeships

Government announces that for those aged 19 and over apprenticeships will last between one and four years and for 16-18 year olds a minimum of 12 months 'without exception'.

Employment case law round up

Charging people to bring employment tribunals undermines principle of free access to justice

Failure to ensure free access to justice is highly detrimental to the relationship between citizens and state and undermines social cohesion, says Welsh government's chief legal adviser.

Employers’ Liability Insurance ‘Trigger’ Litigation: BAI (Run Off) Ltd v Durham & Ors

[2012] UKSC 14

Employment case law round up

Tasneem v Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust

[2012] EWCA Civ 329

Woodcock v Cumbria Primary Care Trust

[2012] EWCA Civ 330

Government confirms it has accepted recommendation for below inflation increase to NMW

Budget 2012 (at paragraphs 1.242 - 1.243) also confirms HM Treasury will conduct an internal review to examine role of employee ownership in supporting growth.

Employment Law Update

Issue 122 of Garden Court Chambers' Employment Law Bulletin is now available.