Employment News
Employment Law & Guidance
Consultation published on caste discrimination 4 April 2017
This consultation is about how to ensure that there is appropriate and proportionate legal protection against unlawful discrimination because of a person’s origins with due consideration given to how such protection would be implemented in practice.
Geographical extent – this consultation applies to Great Britain only so excludes Northern Ireland.
From the foreword of the consultation: “No one should suffer prejudice or discrimination on any grounds. Behaviour based on prejudice and discrimination is wrong and should not be condoned, whether or not it is prohibited by legislation. Any prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s origins is unfair and unacceptable in a modern society. There is no place for it. We want to eliminate any unlawful discrimination and create a genuinely meritocratic society that works for everyone. “ The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has published a consultation which provides an opportunity for a public debate on whether caste is required to be an aspect of race in the Equality Act. And to analyse the implications of the amendment in section 9 (5) (a) of the Equality Act, involving all those who may be affected by it in relation to work, the provision of goods and services and the carrying out of public functions.
The GEO hope that employers, service providers and public authorities, as well as the wider public, will all contribute to this consultation, hence the 16 weeks given to ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to express their opinions.
The closing date for responses is 17 July 2017.
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Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill 16 October 2017
Parents who are employed and have suffered the death of a child can receive statutory paid leave and pay when the Parental Bereavement Bill becomes an act of law.
The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill was formally introduced to Parliament (known as the first reading) in July. There is no debate on the Bill at the first reading stage.
The Bill is now expected to have its second reading debate on Friday 20 October 2017.
When the Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes an act of law, it will amend the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 1996 to entitle parents who lose a child (under 18) to two weeks of statutory parental bereavement leave.
Currently the ERA gives a “day one” right for an employee to have ‘reasonable’ time off work to deal with an emergency, such as a bereavement involving a dependant. ‘Reasonable’ is not defined and will depend on the situation. An employer does not have to pay an employee for this time away from work but many employers offer paid special or compassionate leave. Only employees with at least 26 weeks of continuous service will be entitled to statutory parental bereavement pay, as long their normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the relevant week are not less than the current lower earnings limit.
All employees, regardless of length of service, will be entitled to two weeks of statutory parental bereavement leave.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
cipp.org.uk
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